Gardaí uncovered a cannabis growhouse with an estimated €100,000 worth of drugs today when they were called to a premises in Skibbereen in West Cork by firefighters after the growhouse went on fire.
They found some 250 cannabis plants - each with an estimated potential street value of €400 and different stages of maturity when they searched the upstairs floors of a premises on North Street in the town.
Firefighters had been called to the premises at around 12.30pm when a fire - believed to be caused by an electrical fault - broke out in the building and firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to bring the fire under control.
Gardaí are now searching for a Chinese national whom they believe left the premises shortly before the fire brigade arrived on the scene for questioning.
