A man and a woman have been nabbed as they were about to launch a drone to deliver drugs to prisoners.
The incident at Castlerea Prison in Roscommon saw gardai swoop on the drone pilots as they were setting up the equipment.
Gardai moved in moments before the drug dealers took flight.
A source said: "This is becoming more and more prevalent. In the past drugs were being passed during visits.
"Then that was cracked down on with sniffer dogs and checks but then they moved on to throwing the drugs over the walls.
"Imaginately they put the drugs in rotting fruit as it decomposed it released the fruit - that was cracked down on too.
Man and woman arrested after drone and drugs seized near Castlerea Prison, Co Roscommon
"Now they are attempting to use drones - they will do anything to get drugs into prisons."
Gardai also recovered cannabis herb and 440 tablets - they also seized phones and a smart watch.
A spokesman at Castlerea Prison said: "The Prison works closely with An Garda Siochana and we welcome their intervention and continued support in assisting the prevention of contraband entering our facility."
A Garda statement outlined the operation and said it was intelligence led operation.
A garda spokesman said: "Gardaí from Castlerea Co Roscommon have arrested a male (46yrs) and a female (45yrs) following the interception of a Drone, controlled drugs and a number of items.
"At approximately 11am this morning, Thursday April 11th 2019 Gardaí stopped and searched a car at Harristown, Castlerea which is adjacent to Castlerea Prison. During the course of the search, two mobile phones, a watch phone, approximately 440 tablets and Cannabis Herb (which are both subject to analysis) were recovered together with a ‘Drone’ which was in the process of being set up.
"A male and female were arrested at the scene in connection with this investigation are currently detained at Castlerea Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 – Criminal Justice Act 1984."
