€1.6M Cannabis haul accused to appear at Cavan Court

A man in his 40s is due to appear before Cavan District Court today in connection with the seizure of cannabis, cocaine, imitation firearms and cash during a joint cross-border operation.

The accused was arrested following an intelligence-led operation involving An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Customs Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on Wednesday, August 26.

A total of 119kg of cannabis, with an estimated value of €1.666 million, was seized following the interception of a vehicle in the Dundalk area of Co Louth.

The man, who is in his 40s, was subsequently charged and was due before Cavan District Court at 2pm today, Friday, August 28.

Separate follow-up searches were carried out in the Newtownabbey area of Northern Ireland by members of the PSNI Organised Crime Unit.

During those searches, officers seized a further estimated 45kg of cannabis, approximately 500g of cocaine — which remains subject to analysis — 22 imitation firearms and approximately £25,000 in cash.

A second man, aged in his 30s, was arrested in Northern Ireland and remains in PSNI custody.

The operation involved the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the Garda Organised Crime Unit, the Revenue Customs Service and the PSNI Organised Crime Unit.

Investigations into the cross-border operation are "ongoing" said a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana.