Two drug seizures in which cocaine valued at over €1 million was recovered last night has been linked by the Taoiseach to republicans.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Mr Ahern said the IRA remained active and said some of those arrested in a PSNI raid on a Co Tyrone drug factory "had a past record".
Earlier this month, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams appealed to the IRA to give up its armed struggle and use political means. The move came on the first day of campaigning in the British general election and followed weeks of intense pressure on the party over recent high-profile crimes like the Northern Bank raid, the murder of Robert McCartney and money laundering activity.
But Mr Ahern indicated today that Government intelligence reports indicate the Provisionals are still active. "As of today, or as of last weekend, there still is training, there still is recruiting and more worryingly, it may not be directly related, but there still is the crossover into criminal activity."
Mr Ahern also referred to republican links to overnight drug seizures in Co Tyrone and a follow-up operation in Co Cork. Cocaine worth €700,000 was found in Dungannon.
It is understood a senior IRA member was among three arrested in Moy, Co Armagh, following the raid. Another is thought to be a former INLA man who spent in jail for conspiracy to kidnap.
A €500,000 haul of cocaine was later recovered in Timoleague by the gardaí acting on a request from the PSNI. No-one arrested in the second raid in which cannabis and cash was also recovered.
Police in Northern Ireland described the operation as 'very significant'.
"We have seen cases overnight. I haven't got the full facts on those but I know that there was a serious drug case involving people who have had a past record," Mr Ahern told the Dáil.
Additional reporting PA