National: Drugs, cash and designer goods seized following traffic-stop in the west of Ireland

Investigations are underway after a significant quantity of contraband was seized during a search operation in Ennis.

The searches were carried out on Saturday evening following a routine traffic-stop in the town which resulted in a motorist being arrested by gardai.

"Gardaí in Ennis were on patrol when they observed a vehicle acting suspiciously. A subsequent stop resulted in the driver being arrested," read a post on social media highlighting the incident.

During follow-up searches under warrant, suspected cocaine and cannabis worth an estimated €15,000 was seized along with a quantity of cash and designer goods.

Investigations are ongoing and gardai say all of the items seized will now be technically and forensically examined.

According to gardai, the arrested individual, a male in his 20s, was detained at a garda station in Clare under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

He has since been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Commenting on social media, a garda spokesperson said: "We remain committed to continuing our efforts to target those causing the most harm to Clare communities and also right across the country."