Number of arrests in crackdown on organised crime

Gardai in the Cavan-Monaghan District have made a number of arrests as part of its ongoing strategy targeting the criminal activity and organised criminal actions. Operation Wireless, a nationwide initiative targeting selected targets nationwide, also involves both gardai from the Cavan district and the wider Cavan-Monaghan area, and The Anglo-Celt understands a number of arrests were made in connection with the operation both in recent weeks and yesterday (Tuesday, November 21), while more arrests are forseen. So far there have been 236 planned searches carried out as part of this operation and this morning (Wednesday 22) Gardai begun their second nationwide phase of Operation Wireless. All searches relate to targeting incidents of stolen property, drugs, cannabis grow houses, firearms and other types of evidence relevant to ongoing criminal investigations both locally and across the country. Arrests have also been made nationwide relating to offences of Drug Trafficking, Robbery, Aggravated Burglary, Possession of Firearms, Burglary, Theft, Handling Stolen Property, Drug and other related offences. These are detained at Garda Stations nationwide under various detention periods. A substantial quantity of cannabis plants, approximately 4,200 in total, were seized at the various cannabis growhouses searched on Tuesday. The street value of these plants is estimated to be in the region of € 3,500,000 (pending analysis). These searched were in Rathcormack, Cork, Clonroache, Wexford, Laytown and in Dublin.