Four men and a woman have been arrested after gardaí seized some 50,000 ecstasy tablets and drug manufacturing equipment during searches in Dublin.
The operation was carried out yesterday by gardaí from the Garda National Drugs Unit supported by local drugs units from Tallaght, Ronanstown and Crumlin Garda stations.
A Garda spokesman said four men were arrested in an initial operation at a premises on Crumlin Road.
They are in their late 20s or 30s and are detained under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act.
In follow up searches at five separate premises in the Tallaght and Clondalkin areas gardaí seized quantities 50,000 tablets believed to be ecstasy, as well as equipment and chemicals used in the manufacture of tablets.
A woman in her late 20s was arrested during a search in Clondalkin.
The Garda spokesman said the drugs seized have a street value, subject to analysis, in excess of €500,000.
The five people arrested are detained at Sundrive Road, Kevin Street and Kilmainham Garda stations.