Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of €150,000 were seized on Thursday, September 1, following raids by the Athlone Drugs Unit in Moate, County Westmeath.
A search was conducted at a rural dwelling in the Moyvoughly area by the Athlone unit in conjunction with the Westmeath divisional units and the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, as part of an ongoing investigation into the sale and supply of drugs in the Athlone area.
Gardaí have described the find as a “highly sophisticated” growhouse which contained plants at various stages of growth.
Two women, originally from Poland, were arrested in connection with the raid and were detained at Athlone Garda Station under Section Two of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking ) Act. They appeared in court last Friday facing three charges: possession of cannabis; possession of cannabis for sale or supply; the cultivation of cannabis.
Bail was granted for both defendants with conditions attached, including the surrendering of their passports. The case was adjourned to Athlone District Court on October 12.
