five people arrested following the discovery of three cannabis growing operations in Dublin and Co Cavan.

Gardaí are today questioning five people arrested following the discovery of three cannabis growing operations in Dublin and Co Cavan.

Almost 1,000 plants were seized following searches of industrial units in Inchicore, Clondalkin and Ballyconnell in Co Cavan yesterday.

The searches were conducted as part of the Garda National Drug Unit's Operation Nitrogen, which targets gangs behind cannabis cultivation.

Two men, aged 27 and 33 years and a woman aged 28, were arrested following the seizure of 500 cannabis plants in Jamestown Industrial Estate in Inchicore yesterday afternoon. The plants, which were at various stages of growth, had an estimated street value of over €200,000. The three people arrested are all being held at Crumlin Garda station.

Another man was arrested after a follow-up search at an industrial unit at the Enterprise Business Park in Clondalkin where 270 cannabis plants with an estimated value of €108,000 were discovered. The man arrested is being held at Ballyfermot Garda station.

A third cannabis growing operation was discovered in another search at a premises in Ballyconnell late last night. A man in his 40s was arrested and 209 plants worth an estimated €85,000 plants were seized. He is being held at Ballyconnell Garda station.

All of the individuals arrested yesterday are being held under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996