Gardaí have seized cannabis herb and plants with an estimated street value of up to €290,000 in Co Laois, it was revealed today.

At around 10pm last Wednesday evening, gardaí from the Portlaoise District carried out a planned search of a house on Main Street, Ballyroan, Laois.

During the search, cannabis herb with an estimated street value of up to €50,000 and cannabis plants with an estimated street value of up to €240,000, pending analysis, were seized.

Three men (mid 50s to mid 20s) were arrested at the scene and were detained under the provisions of Section 2 of The Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Portlaoise Garda Station.

All three men were charged and were brought before Dublin District Court this morning.

They were remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill Court next Thursday.

The operation was part of on-going intelligence led operation targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Laois/Offaly area.