A total of 63 people have been arrested by gardaí over the past three months as part of a joint operation with Interpol targeting west African crime gangs.

An Garda Síochána is among law enforcement agencies across 21 countries across six continents taking part in Operation JACKAL, targetting cybercrime groups such as Nigerian criminal gang 'Black Axe'.

Since April of this year, gardaí carried out 37 searches as part of the operation, resulting in 63 arrests.

Seventeen people have been charged – including six juveniles.

Over €50,000 worth of goods were also seized

In addition, gardaí have said that 11 phones have been seized, while two cars worth around €40,000 each have also been seized.

Gardaí suspect the vehicles were purchased with stolen or laundered money.

Nearly €50,000 worth of goods, also suspected to have been purchased with stolen or laundered money, were seized.

Gardaí also seized over €81,000 and $260,000 in cryptocurrency, and blocked 17 bank accounts suspected of being opened under false names.

Gardaí attached to the Criminal Assets Bureau and the National Economic Crime Bureau carried out the searches.