Gardaí uncovered a cannabis-growing operation in Co Wicklow during a planned operation this morning.
The drugs were found in a barn on agricultural land in Donard at about 8am.
The raid was part of a joint operation between the Garda National Drugs Unit, Dublin Port Customs officers, and gardaí from Baltinglass.
During the search, gardaí found what they described as a large herbal cannabis cultivation factory and more than 400 plants, with an estimated value of €250,000
A 36-year-old man was arrested under Section 2 of the Drugs Trafficking Act and is being held in Naas Garda station. He can be held for seven days.
The Customs Service said its officers discovered the cannabis factory in west Wicklow during routine oil sampling investigations.
It is believed the plants and sophisticated equipment found had the capacity to produce drugs with an estimated street value of a quarter of a million euro every two to three months.
Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said the discovery of the cannabis operation in Wicklow reveals the country is faced with a new and significant problem of home-grown drug production.
“The question arises as to how many other similar cannabis growing operations are located around the country.
“The low-maintenance aspect of these industrial cannabis-growing facilities means that operators do not have to attend closely to their operations, meaning arrests will be very difficult to secure.”
Mr Flanagan said gardaí need more resources to fight the drug crisis.
“Unless immediate and proactive steps are taken by the minister to prevent factory-sized drug-producing operations gaining a foothold, the level of drugs on our streets will inevitably increase.”
Over recent weeks, gardaí around the country have uncovered three other cannabis factories and seized almost 1,500 plants with an estimated street value of €760,000.
Hi-cultivation equipment was also found during the raids in Ashbourne, Co Meath; Galway city; and Carraigans, Co Donegal.
Additional reporting PA