The discovery of 165kg of cannabis was made during a search of an open area near Parc Na Silla in Loughlinstown, Co Dublin, early yesterday morning. Members of the Garda Drugs Unit at Dun Laoghaire carried out the search and arrested one man at the scene.

A follow-up search of a nearby house uncovered more cannabis, as well as a small quantity of cocaine. Two men and one woman were arrested during the search of the property.

A garda spokesman yesterday said that all four people who were arrested were in their early 20s. They were being detained at Dun Laoghaire garda station under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.

Gardai will carry out a forensic examination of the drugs seized to try to determine their potential value.

However, according to a spokesman, gardai believe the cannabis resin uncovered during the searches may have a street value of 1.1m.