Two people have been arrested.
Gardaí have seized almost €8.5 million worth of cocaine following an operation carried out in several counties on Thursday, 4 August.
It is understood that a private plane was used to transport the drugs into the country.
As a result of ongoing investigations targeting drug-related organised crime activity under Operation Tara, personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau supported by other national units intercepted two vehicles shortly after 6pm at two separate locations in the Lough Owel area of Westmeath.
During the course of this operation, 120 kilogrammes of cocaine with an estimated street value of €8.4 million – subject to analysis – was recovered along with several communications devices.
Follow-up searches were conducted at residential premises in Naas in Kildare and Waterford City, and at a commercial airfield in Longford where a light aircraft was subsequently seized.
Two men aged 54 and 40, respectively, were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1977. They have been detained pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act of 1996 at Ashbourne Garda Station.
"This operation has prevented a considerable quantity of dangerous drugs from making it onto our streets and causing significant harm to our communities," said Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly, Head of Organised and Serious Crime.
"An Garda Síochána is committed, under Operation Tara, to disrupting and dismantling the organised criminal networks who profit from drug trafficking and impact so negatively on our society."
Investigations are ongoing.
