TWO men from the north were arrested in Co Cavan as part of a major Garda operation to foil an extortion plot.
They were among seven people detained in an operation which saw machine guns and balaclavas recovered.
All were arrested on Sunday night following an intelligence-led operation in the Bawnboy area.
Gardaí, acting on information received, said they identified four cars in the area and conducted stop and searches.
Two men in their 20s were arrested when the first car was stopped.
A search of a second car resulted in the discovery of balaclavas and three men in their 30s were arrested.
Concealed weapons and ammunition were found in the third car.
A man in his 40s was also arrested.
A man in his 30s was also held after a fourth vehicle was stopped.
All were arrested under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
It is believed a businessman or someone close to him was set to be threatened in a bid to extract cash.
Several mobile phones and other items were also seized.
