Three people have been arrested after a number of handguns that were posted to Ireland from the United States were intercepted.

The Special Crime Operations branch of the gardaí have carried out a joint operation with US Homeland Security Investigations after the Glock handguns were found in parcels due to be delivered to locations in Dublin city and county.

Searches were carried out at addresses in Stepaside and Carrickmines in Dublin and Newcastle in Co Dublin this morning.

Three people, aged 26, 27 and 38, were arrested during the operation.

They are being held at a number of undisclosed garda stations in the east of the city.

A quantity of cocaine and cannabis was also found during the searches.

The garda investigation is continuing with support of agents from US Homeland Security.