Two arrests after €700k of cocaine seized

A MAN and a woman have been arrested after cocaine worth €700,000 was seized in Co. Westmeath.

Gardaí say the operation has broken up what is believed to be one of the most significant distribution centres for cocaine and other drugs to the western region.

Armed gardaí from the Crime and Drugs Unit based in Athlone raided a house in Kilnamanagh and arrested the two suspects at around 7am yesterday.

The man and woman, both in their 20s, were last night being held at Athlone Garda Station under Section Two of the Criminal Justice Act.

The cocaine was discovered during a follow-up search at the house and the scene was preserved yesterday for a technical examination.

It was the third seizure of large quantities of cocaine carried out by the Athlone-based Garda Drugs Unit in the last 12 months.