Gardaí in Galway have arrested nine men and searched 20 premises as part of an investigation into organised crime.
The searches of homes and businesses were part of Operation Foolscap, which is targeting drugs and firearms offences, intimidation, extortion, burglaries and robberies in the western region.
The arrests were made for suspected offences under the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009.
Those detained ranged in age from early 20s to early 30s and are being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at Galway, Gort, Loughrey, Tuam and Ballinasloe Garda stations.
Among the items seized during searches were four vehicles, mobile telephones, computers and documentation.
Gardaí from Galway were supported by the Western Region Regional Response Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, National Support Services and the Organised Crime Unit.