A large amount of cocaine has been seized in a joint operation involving Gardai, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force.
The drugs were seized following the search of the cargo vessel Star Stratos at Portsmouth port yesterday evening.
Approximately 300 kilos were discovered concealed within a shipment of bananas which had originated in Colombia.
Gardaí believe that part of the consignment of drugs was destined for our jurisdiction and the seizure is a major disruption to elements of an Irish organised crime gang.
"The operation involved cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the NCA, and will help to protect Irish Communities from the scurge of illegal drugs," Gardai said.
Investigations are continuing both in the UK and Ireland.
This is the second joint operation between An Garda Síochána and the NCA which has resulted in a huge cocaine seizure in less than three months.
In September approximately a tonne of cocaine was seized by the Irish Naval Service from the yacht Makayabella around 300 miles off the south west coast of Ireland.
