Cannabis plants worth an estimated €2 million in total were discovered at three locations around the country today by gardaí.
The three locations were searched simultaneously by the Garda National Drugs Unit and local gardaí as part of the Garda’s Operation Nitrogen targeting the cultivation of Cannabis.
About 1,800 plants were discovered and two Vietnamese men arrested at a unit at Clash Industrial Estate in Tralee, Co Kerry.
One of the men was injured when he jumped from the roof of the building in an alleged attempt to escape and is currently being treated in Tralee General Hospital.
Both men are detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
The drugs in this seizure are being valued at €1.3 million, subject to analysis.
A Chinese man in his late 20s was meanwhile arrested at a house at Falty, Oldtown, Athlone, Co Roscommon when plants found there worth an estimated €240,000 were seized.
The man is being detained at Roscommon Garda station under the same provisions.
A third property consisting of a house and sheds at Carrigaloon, Virginia, Co Cavan were also searched and a large cannabis cultivation operation was discovered inside.
About 700 plants were seized and one Chinese male in his 50s was arrested.
He was arrested and held at Bailieboro Garda station under the same provisions. The drugs in this instance were valued at €560,000, subject to analysis.
The Garda is putting the total value of the plants seized at approximately €2.1 million.