Major cannabis haul found hidden in consignment of bottled water and garden supplies

A man has been arrested following a significant drugs seizure at Dublin Port.

The suspect was detained on Wednesday evening after gardaí were alerted to the discovery of 55 kilograms of herbal cannabis which was found concealed within a consignment of bottled water and garden supplies.

The contraband was discovered after a van was stopped and searched having arrived on a ferry from the UK.

"As a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dog James, Revenue officers seized 55.3kgs of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €1,106,000. The detection was made when Revenue officers stopped a van that had arrived from the UK. The drugs were discovered concealed in vacuum-packed packages among a consignment of bottled water and garden furniture," said a Revenue spokesperson.

A garda spokesperson confirmed a male in his 50s was subsequently arrested and is being questioned in relation to the seizure.

"The man was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at a garda station in the Dublin Region. He can be held for up to seven days," they said.

The van in which the drugs were found has been seized and the cannabis has been sent for forensic analysis.

Investigations are ongoing.