Armed gardaí have arrested twelve people following a number of searches in Limerick today, Tuesday, September 7 .

Over 300 personnel from the Limerick garda division were integral in the operation.

They were also given the support of the Criminal Assets Bureau, Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, the Emergency Response Unit, the Armed Response Unit, Regional Dog Unit, Air Support Unit, members from the Irish Defence Forces and Revenue and Customs conducted the operation titled 'Operation Coronation'.

The group carried out a total of 65 searches of dwellings, businesses and land near the outskirts of Limerick City.

During the operation, Gardaí seized six financial accounts that have now been frozen with a total value in excess of €295,000.

As part of the operation, cash valued at €62,500, five designer watches, three vehicles including a BMW, a Volkswagen Tiguan and a Range Rover, eight horses and a horsebox valued at approximately €10,000 were all seized.

Documentation has also been seized and is currently being examined by Criminal Assets Bureau personnel.

During the search, gardai also found a significant amount of cannabis with an estimated value of €8,000.

Of the 12 people arrested so far today, seven are men, and five are women.

Eight people (five women and three men) have been arrested for suspected money laundering offences.

Two people have been arrested for suspected drug offences. In addition, one man was arrested in connection with breaches of the Control of Horses Act, 1996 and another man was arrested in connection with the possession of an offensive weapon.

A number of these persons have or are due to appear before Limerick District Court today, 7th September 2021.

A garda spokesperson said: “The operation remains ongoing. Further updates will be issued in due course.”