Increase in cannabis production a 'concern': Garda Commissioner

Martin Callinan said that there has been an increase in the number of grow houses since the closure of head shops around the country – but says gardaí are making “significant in-roads” in tackling the criminal gangs involved.

THE GARDA COMMISSIONER has expressed concern over the increase of cannabis grow houses, with 60 facilities being uncovered in the past ten months.

More than €6 million worth of cannabis has been seized by gardaí over the same time period. Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said that organised crime gangs had switched to the area of cannabis production following the shutting down of head shops because the business offered a high return for little maintenance, RTÉ reports. However, Callinan said there were other reasons behind the increased presence of grow houses in the state.

He added that 40 people were due before the courts.

Gardaí set up Operation Nitrogen ten months ago to tackle the increase in cannabis production in Ireland. Callinan said that investigators were making “significant in-roads” in tackling the criminal gangs involved.

Listen to Callinan speaking on Newstalk.ie >

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