Two men have been arrested after gardai seized a large amount of cash and drugs following a series of searches in Co. Galway.
Gardai from the Divisional Drugs Unit in Galway stopped and searched a car on the M6 Motorway near Loughrea at around 19.40pm on Sunday where €17,580 worth of cash was seized.
As part of a follow-up search gardai found what is believed to be a cocaine processing laboratory and seized cocaine with an estimated value of €50,000 at an premises in Galway City.
Mixing agent, a cocaine press, vacuum packer, industrial gas masks, and a cash counting machine, which are believed to have been used in the manufacture of cocaine for sale or supply were all seized during the search.
Gardai then carried out a further follow up search and seized €161,000 in cash at a separate premises in Galway City.
A garda spokesperson said: "One man in his 20s was arrested following the detection on the M6, while a second man in his 30s was arrested at a property in Galway City.
"Both men are currently detained at Galway Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996.
"These seizures were part of an intelligence led operation and were detected by the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit with the assistance of the Western Regional Armed Support Unit."
