Press conference: Dawn raids on nine different locations in the north Louth area yesterday resulted in the seizure of 8,000 litres of fuel, 30,000 cigarettes and an estimated €200,000 in cash, gardaí told journalists at a press conference in Dundalk.
Three people - a man and a woman in their early 50s, and a man in his 60s - were arrested under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, following the searches.
Yesterday's operation focused on oil- and cigarette-smuggling and oil- and money-laundering. Three tankers and a truck with a concealed tanker, as well as two shotguns, were also found during the operation.
Supt Kevin Donohoe of the Garda Press Office told the press briefing that approximately 120 Garda personnel were involved in searches of nine locations, including businesses and private residences, which got under way at about 7am yesterday.
The search teams were led by local gardaí and Criminal Assets Bureau officers. These were supported by officers from other units, including the Special Detective Unit, the Garda Technical Bureau and Garda air support, as well as customs officers and members of the Defence Forces.
Supt Donohoe said officers did not see a direct link with current paramilitary organisations at this stage. However, he stressed that investigations were continuing.
A small number of computers and many documents, along with a small oil-laundering unit, had also been seized.
"The people who were arrested today were arrested for suspected revenue offences," Supt Donohoe said. "This operation is part of a major investigation into intelligence-led serious criminal activity . . . in the Border areas, particularly around the north Co Louth area. This activity we are satisfied has been generating massive profits for the people who have been involved."
Gardaí left the scene of some of the searches which centred around Hackballscross in north Louth, at approximately 5pm.
A line of Garda cars, most unmarked, accompanied three tankers from the area whose roads had been closed-off. Gardaí and officers of the Criminal Assets Bureau were seen conducting searches in another house.