GARDAÍ HAVE appealed to the public to be more vigilant about the prevalence of cannabis factories usually in rented properties.
Three men, aged 24, 26 and 52, were arrested and files are being prepared for the DPP following a raid on a commercial premises at the Greenogue Industrial Estate, Newcastle, Co Dublin, last Friday morning.
The raids were carried out as part of Operation Vacuum, which has been going on for several months and is targeting criminals who are dealing in cannabis that is grown domestically and on an industrial scale.
Friday's raid resulted in the discovery of a sophisticated cannabis growing operation that involved accelerated growth techniques utilising technology and artificial heat treatment facilities that make cannabis plants grow faster, and also increase their potency.
Gardaí seized 655 mid-life cannabis plants valued at approximately €200,000.
The search was carried by gardaí at the Clondalkin drug unit, the Garda National Drug Unit and other national crime units.
Further raids were carried out at a site in Navan town, where 40 plants were seized, and also in Clonee, Ballymun and Portarlington.
Garda spokesman Supt Kevin Donohoe said landlords who rented out either private houses or industrial premises had a duty to know what was going on there.
