SPECIALIST gardai have intercepted a number of firearms that were to be delivered to Ireland from the United States.

Three Glock handguns were among the firearms seized in postal packages and three people were arrested in a follow up operation.

One of the Glock handguns seized

Gardai confirmed this morning that the three have been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP.

Cops from the Special Crime Operations branch conducted a joint op with United States Homeland Security Investigations.

It came after they detected automatic weapons due to be delivered to locations around Dublin city and county.

As part of that, a number of raids were carried out in Stepaside, Carrickmines and Newcastle in Dublin where cocaine and cannabis were seized.

Three people – aged 26, 27 and 38 – had been arrested and were quizzed in garda stations in the east of the city.

A garda spokesman said last night: “A number of firearms, namely three GLOCK handguns, have been intercepted and seized in postal packages destined for Ireland from the United States.

“The Special Crime Operations (SCO) branch of An Garda Siochana have conducted a joint operation with United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) following the detection of automatic weapons due to be delivered to locations in Dublin city and county.

“On Friday morning, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Special Crime Task Force searched three addresses in Stepaside, Carrickmines and Newcastle, Co Dublin as part of an ongoing operation relating to the seizures.

“A quantity of Cocaine and Cannabis was seized during the course of these searches.

“Three people were arrested in during the operation. The three, aged 26, 27 and 38, are currently being detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at a number of Garda Stations in the east of the city.

“The Garda investigation is continuing with the support of Special Agents from U.S Homeland Security.”