Cannabis plants with an estimated value of €160,000 have reportedly been seized by Gardai from a farmyard in Co. Limerick.

The discovery was part of an on-going operation targeting the illegal sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Limerick area.

The grow house, which had approximately 200 cannabis plants, was discovered and the plants seized yesterday evening, Wednesday January 25, Gardai confirmed.

The planned search of the property at Kilknockan, Adare was carried out by the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit shortly before 6pm.

It is believed the grow-house was located in a farmyard shed which had been adapted for growing the plants.

Two men, aged 56 and 58-years-old respectively, were arrested at the scene and are currently detained at Henry Street Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

According to Gardai, the investigation is on-going and searches of other premises are continuing.

Meanwhile, last weekend in a joint operation between Gardai and Revenue officers, a total of 1,873kg of herbal cannabis was uncovered at Dublin Port.

It is understood the drugs were hidden in packages that were marked as farm machinery.

The seizure, which took place on Friday January 20, was estimated to be worth in the region of €37.5m.

Man found to be in possession of explosives at a farmyard jailed

A man who was found to be in possession of explosives, a firearm and ammunition at a farmyard in Northern Ireland was jailed for 14 years before the Christmas.

Barry Petticrew, who is 45-years-old, from Swanlinbar, Co. Cavan was sentenced on December 20, in Antrim Crown Court after admitting possession of the items with intent and having articles for use in terrorism.

The PSNI made the seizure in a rented, disused farmyard at Caldragh Road, Kinawley, Co. Fermanagh on October 8, 2014.

The seizure included:
  • Half a tonne of fertiliser and a number of packs of home-made explosives.
  • Timer units, detonators and fuses.
  • Pipe bombs and component parts for other devices.
  • A suspected firearm and approximately 100 rounds of ammunition.
  • Forensic suits and gloves.

Following a a proactive operation and investigation into violent dissident republican terrorist activity in October 2014, the PSNI arrested Petticrew after they discovered him moving some of the items at the farmyard.

Petticrew made an attempt to run several hundred yards across fields to the border with Co. Cavan before he was arrested, according to the PSNI.