Man arrested over cannabis factory
A man in his 20s has been arrested following the discovery of a makeshift cannabis factory in a rented house in Co Leitrim.
Gardaí raided the premises in Cloone village about 15 miles outside Carrick-on-Shannon area at 9.30pm last night and discovered more than 100 cannabis plants in an upstairs area.
Officers also seized sophisticated plumbing and irrigation equipment as well as transformers used to boost the electricity supply for the operation.
Investigating gardaí are preparing a file for the DPP on the matter.
One garda said: “It was a very professional-type operation which could turn out a fresh crop of cannabis plants every 10 weeks.
“A separate section of the premises was converted to dry the cannabis leaves for consumption.
“The plants were at different stages of growth, from seedlings upwards.”
The man can be detained without charge for up to seven days under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Meanwhile gardaí have found a small cannabis plantation in a privately-owned forest near Killarney, Co Kerry.
A man was arrested but later released pending instructions from the DPP.
