Gardai have arrested two men after they conducted two searches in Co Cork on Monday evening.
As part of Operation Tara - which was launched to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - officers seized a total of €157,500 worth of cocaine.
The first search, of a vehicle, took place at around 6.45pm on the Inniscarra Road, Ballincolling.
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During this search, €35,000 worth of cocaine was found in the vehicle and a man in his 20s was arrested at the scene.
A few hours later, officers searched a residential property in Highfield Park in Ballincollig and discovered €122,500 worth of cocaine.
A second man, also in his 20s, was arrested at the scene.
Both men remain in custody at separate garda stations and all drugs seized have been sent for forensic analysis as investigations continue.
A spokesperson from An Garda Siochana confirmed: “As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí have seized €157,500 worth of cocaine and arrested two men, following two operations in Cork yesterday, Monday 25th April 2022.
“At approximately 6:45pm, Gardaí stopped and conducted a search of a car on the Inniscarra Road, Ballincolling, Cork. During the course of the search, €35,000 of cocaine was located in the vehicle.
“A man in his 20s was arrested as a result and is currently detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Gurranabraher Garda station.
“At approximately 9pm, in a separate operation, Gardaí conducted a search at a residential property in Highfield Park, Ballincolling. During this search, €122,500 worth of cocaine was discovered.
“A man in his 20s was arrested as a result and is currently detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Bridewell Garda station.
“All seized drugs will now be sent for to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.”
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