Five people arrested in what sources say is a major blow against one of the country's biggest drug gangs remain in custody today.
Garda raids in Cork city and county netted €1.8 million worth of cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine.
Three men were detained near Ballinhassig in west Cork late on Wednesday and €100,000-worth of cocaine was seized.
A follow-up operation yesterday led to fourth arrest in Cork city and a fifth in west Cork along with the seizure of €1.7 million worth of cannabis.
The Irish Timestoday quoted one Garda saying that one of the men being questioned by detectives today is one of the biggest drug-importers in the country. They believe he has built up a network of up to 20 dealers who in turn supply between 50 and 100 smaller dealers with cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.
"This man has an extensive network of contacts abroad, including some Irish drug barons who have fled to the Continent, while he also has contacts in eastern Europe from whom he obtains his supplies," a Garda source told the newspaper.
Nearly €100,000 in cash believed to be the proceeds of drugs crime, was seized in the Ballinhassig operation.