GARDAÍ HAVE discovered more than €38,000 worth of cannabis in an elaborate drugs factory hidden in a rural home. A maze of sophisticated apparatus to grow the drug was found during a search of the house in St Johnston, Co Donegal.
Gardai were yesterday still carrying out forensic examinations of the house.
Insp Pat O’Donnell said that the raid was part of an overall operation to prevent cultivation of drugs in rural areas.
“This is a significant find for Donegal and is part of our ongoing operations against drugs in the county,” he said.
This is the latest success for gardaí in their fight against drug gangs along the Border.
In January 1,200 cannabis plants with an estimated value of €500,000 were discovered in a house near Killea. Gardaí suspect a number of Asian nationals are being paid small amounts of money to live in rented houses and look after the drugs for more powerful drug gangs.
Meanwhile, Gardai in Louth seized herbal cannabis worth worth €210,000 last night when they stopped and searched a car at Haggardstown near the village of Blackrock, five kilometres south of Dundalk.
Three men, including a father and son, were arrested. A substansial amount of cash was also recovered.