SEVEN PEOPLE have been arrested in County Cavan as part of an investigation into blackmail.
Gardaí in County Cavan have confirmed they have arrested seven men following an operation targeting a blackmail and extortion plot yesterday afternoon, Sunday 7th March 2021.
Gardaí in the area, acting on information received, identified four cars relevant to the investigation in the area and conducted a number of stop and searches.
According to a statement by gardaí, a stop and search of the first car led in the arrest of its occupants, two men aged in their 20s.
A second car then underwent a stop and search, and resulted in the discovery of a number of balaclavas. The three occupants-- all males aged in their 30s-- were also arrested.
A stop and search of a third car resulted in the discovery of "a number of concealed firearms and ammunition", a garda statement reads. A man in his 40s, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was arrested and taken to a local garda station.
On the same day, the fourth and final vehicle was stopped and searched and the sole occupant, a man in his 30s was also arrested.
All seven of the men were arrested under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, and are being detained in Ballyconnell and Cavan Garda Stations under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
A number of mobile phones and other items relevant to the investigation have also been seized, a garda spokesperson said in a statement.
This investigation is ongoing.
