One man has been arrested in connection with raids on cannabis growhouses in Ballinsloe and Athlone, where €432,000 worth of cannabis plants were seized this week.
As part of an ongoing investigation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the region, Gardaí in Co. Galway conducted a planned search of a residential property in Ballinasloe on Friday, April 25.
During the course of this search, the Divisional Drugs Unit discovered a sophisticated growhouse operation within the premises.
Gardaí seized 160 suspected cannabis plants worth approximately €128,000 (pending further analysis).
A man aged in his 30s was arrested at the scene 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 Co Westmeath searched a residential property in Athlone and discovered another sophisticated growhouse.
This 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, Sunday, 27th April, at 11:30am.
