A jar of cocaine and a pistol have been dug up in waste ground on the outskirts of Portarlington, Co Laois.
Gardaí found the stash as part of an intelligence-led operation, when they searched the area on the Canal Road in the town at lunchtime today.
"A search was conducted in the area this afternoon," a garda spokesperson outlined.
"The firearm, a magazine and ammunition were discovered wrapped in plastic and buried on the site.
"A glass jar containing a quantity of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of €6,000 was also recovered from the site," they added.
The firearm was confirmed safe by gardaí and brought to Portarlington Garda Station.
Investigations are continuing, the spokesperson added.