Sophisticated growhouse operations discovered in Athlone and Ballinasloe
Gardai have uncovered what they described as 'sophisticated' growhouse operations at residential properties in Athlone and Ballinasloe.
The discoveries came as part of what Gardai described as an ongoing investigation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the region.
On Friday, Gardaí in Co Galway conducted a planned search of a residential property in Ballinasloe.
During the course of this search, the Divisional Drugs Unit discovered a sophisticated growhouse operation within the premises and seized 160 suspected cannabis plants worth approximately €128,000 (pending further analysis).
A man aged in his 30s was arrested and detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
In a follow-up search, Gardaí in Westmeath searched a residential property in Athlone and discovered another sophisticated growhouse, which contained a total of 381 cannabis plants, with an estimated value of €304,800 (subject to analysis).
The man was subsequently charged to appear before a special sitting of Galway District Court today.