Gardai detained two men suspected of being involved in the distribution of cannabis resin when they seized 270 kilos of the controlled drug near Trim, Co Meath, on Sunday night. The two, both in their mid-30s, are being held in Kells Garda station under the Drug Trafficking Act and are expected to be charged at a special court later this week.
One of the men arrested is from Dublin and the other is from Ratoath, Co Meath. Garda sources confirmed that the Dublin man was once associated with the man known as "the Penguin". Both were arrested by members of the National Drugs Unit when they raided a barn at Tullymeaden, Drumree, Co Meath.
The slabs of cannabis resin were packed and ready for further distribution, possibly to Dublin and other large urban areas. The majority of the slabs had been vacuum-packed, but some were wrapped in bales held together by brown adhesive tape, indicating that the cannabis may have come from two different consignments.
A quantity is thought to have originated in Amsterdam. The total street value of the haul is approximately £2.7 million.
Chief Supt Ted Murphy, of the National Drugs Unit, said: "Our goal is to intercept the supply of drugs and to reduce the supply of drugs of all types to the Irish market and [this seizure] will make parents happy and stop the access to the drugs."