Gardaí arrest 10 men and seize number of vehicles following search operation for drugs in Cork

Senior gardaí believe a major international drug smuggling pipeline has been smashed.

While extensive searches are ongoing, no major drug consignment has been located as yet.

Gardaí confirmed their investigation is ongoing but refused to comment in detail.

"This morning (March 14) An Garda Síochána commenced an operation in west Cork. During the course of the operation 10 males (ages ranging from mid 20s to mid 50s) were arrested," a Garda spokesperson confirmed.

"All 10 males continue to be detained at a garda station in Cork county under organised crime legislation.

"A number of vehicles were also detained and remain detained subject to ongoing technical examination. An Garda Síochána is making no further comment at this time."

The arrests came after a significant Garda operation in west Cork with four people being arrested in one single raid after a camper van was dramatically stopped on the outskirts of Leap village on Thursday morning.

All four were arrested when the luxury camper van was ordered to a stop by armed Gardaí near a crossroads outside Leap village.

The vehicle was later removed for a detailed forensic and technical examination by Garda experts.

Six others - all males - were arrested at other locations.

Those arrested have been taken to a number of Cork garda stations.

Gardaí also conducted major searches in the Tragumna area.

The Garda deployment involved multiple vehicles deployed throughout Leap, Tragumna and Skibbereen as well as searches conducted nationally.

A second vehicle, a lorry, was also stopped and examined by Gardaí as part of the operation.