BUSTED! High-powered gun and cash seized during major crime operation in Dublin

A man has been arrested following the discovery of a high-powered gun and a significant quantity of cash in Dublin. 

Gardai say members of the Dublin Crime Response Team carried out a search earlier this week during which firearms and €153,000 in cash were seized.

The planned car stop - the Balbriggan area on Monday - was part of an operation to tackle serious criminal activity in the Capital.

Gardai say they discovered a semi-automatic pistol, a number of rounds of ammunition and €153,000 in cash which were seized immediately. 

A man in his 40s, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was arrested at the scene. He was brought to a garda station in Dublin where he is currently being detained under the provisions of section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939 as amended. 

Gardai say the operation has led to several follow up searches in Dublin City where, they say, more evidence has been found. 

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Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson commented on the investigation saying: "The seizure of this firearm and ammunition has no doubt saved lives, and the removal of significant amounts of cash not only removes ill-gotten gains from the hands of criminals, but deprives them of money they would have used to fund further criminal activities in our community." 

Gardai say the investigations are still currently ongoing.