Gardaí have discovered seven cannabis grow houses in Dublin and Meath and seized drugs estimated to be worth almost €1.5m.

Five men have also been arrested following early morning searches.

Gardaí believe the grow houses were being operated by the same criminal gang.

The searches in Blanchardstown, Mulhuddart, Finglas, Palmerstown, Clonsilla and Clonee in Co Meath began at 6.30am.

Ten houses and apartments were targeted - five were identified as cannabis grow houses.

The drug was being cultivated in attics and apartments with heating, lighting and irrigation systems in place.

1,400 plants and 7kg of cannabis herb was found. Between 200-400 plants were found at each location

Four Polish men, aged between 29 and 39, were arrested earlier. Two of the men were arrested in one house and one each in two other places.

A fifth man was arrested later.

They are being detained at Blanchardstown and Ballymun garda stations under drug trafficking legislation and can be questioned for up to a week.