Gardai this week seized a large amount of cocaine and heroin with an estimated value of €4.9 million pending analysis.

As part of an ongoing investigation Gardaí attached to the Clondalkin Detective and Drugs Units carried out a planned search of a premises at Bluebell Industrial Estate, Dublin, on Tuesday

During the search, 32.5 kilos of heroin and a half kilo of cocaine - pending analysis - were discovered and seized. A handgun and a quantity of ammunition were also seized during the search.

"To date, this investigation has led to the seizure of heroin and cocaine with an estimated value of €5.2 million, five firearms, ammunition and cash," a Gardai spokesperson said.

A 39-year-old man, arrested on Monday in connection with this investigation, remains in Garda custody. He is being detained at Clondalkin Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. The investigation is ongoing.

"This is a significant seizure of heroin, which causes terrible damage in communities throughout this country. This operation has taken drugs, firearms and ammunition off our streets, which could have caused terrible damage," Gardai said.

"This lengthy operation has caused major disruption to an Irish organised crime gang with international connections and is part of our on-going strategy of targeting criminal gangs.

"We remain determined to do all we can to protect communities from the scourge of drugs and we thank communities for their support in this,” said a Garda spokesperson.

A number of machine guns and a handgun were also discovered by Gardai in Ballyfermot following an arrest on Monday.