DRUGS worth over €175,000 and a handgun and ammunition were found in Fenit and Barrow in two searches carried out by gardaí in the early hours of this morning.

As part of an ongoing operation into the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Kerry area gardaí have seized a firearm, drugs and made three arrests.

At approximately 1am this morning gardai from Tralee carried out a planned search of a house at Fenit, Tralee. Cannabis plants (pending analysis) with an estimated street value of up to €37,000 were seized along with a handgun, ammunition (subject to technical examination) and a bullet proof vest.

A male in his 30’s and a female in her 20’s were arrested at the scene are currently detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at Tralee Garda Station.

In a follow up operation at approximately 3am this morning a house in Barrow West, Ardfert was searched and cannabis plants and cannabis leaf were discovered (pending analysis) with an estimated street value of up to €140,000.

A 29 year old male was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Listowel Garda Station.

This is the latest in a series of successful drug seizures by Gardai in Tralee and north Kerry in the past few months.