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Dutch police have reportedly arrested three Irish men as part of an international operation with gardai.

It is believed eight men were arrested in total by cops in Amsterdam.

The three Irish nationals are all suspected of being members of the Kinahan crime gang.

The news comes after the cartel was dealt a major blow when gardai seized millions worth of suspected cocaine and cannabis in Ashbourne, Co Meath on Wednesday night.

Two men, both in their 30s, were arrested at the scene as they were discovered moving the drugs at around 3pm on Wednesday.

(Image: An Garda Siochana Facebook page)

Gardai have not established the value of the seized cannabis and cocaine, but it is estimated to be between €2 million and €5 million.

It is believed gardai found around €800,000 worth of drugs at the first location they searched, but the value of the narcotics at the second site are yet to be revealed.

(Image: An Garda Siochana Facebook page)

The drugs are in sealed containers, not all of which have been opened.

It is thought there could be up to a half a tonne of cannabis.

The searches were put on hold on Wednesday night as light faded and are set to restart on Thursday morning.

(Image: An Garda Siochana Facebook page)

John O’ Driscoll, Assistant Commissioner, speaking from the Netherlands said: "An Garda Síochána national units within Special Crime Operations (SCO) continue to target a range of criminality associated with organised crime.

"In this regard there is a particular emphasis, firstly, on protecting life and tackling threat to life incidents, but also, on targeting the sale of drugs and other illicit products and, importantly, targeting the financial gain and money laundering involved”.

(Image: Collins)

"As can clearly be seen, the Garda Síochána, through Serious Crime Operations (SCO), is engaged in activity on all three fronts in recent days.

"In particular, today the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) has brought to fruition an operation targeting drug trafficking, which has an international dimension.

"This has resulted in a significant seizure of cannabis herb and cocaine and the arrest of a number of suspects.

(Image: Collins)

"Action in this jurisdiction has been coordinated with action being undertaken by international law enforcement authorities”.

Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll is in The Netherlands, today, where he is meeting Dutch law enforcement personnel and law enforcement personnel from other jurisdictions.