Gardaí have arrested 11 people as part of Operation Vantage - the investigation into sham marriages and immigration issues.

The operation was set up in August by the Garda National Immigration Bureau to investigate illegal immigration and identify marriages of convenience.

42 searches have been carried out in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Longford, Louth, Cork, Limerick and Mayo today involving more than 200 gardaí.

Two women and nine men were arrested, and cash (around €30,000), a stun gun, computers, memory devices, phones and documents were seized.

Operation Vantage has identified a number of criminal networks based in Ireland and the UK who are engaged in the facilitation of these marriages through the provision of false information and documentation to marriage registrars.

Gardaí say they are working with state agencies and NGOs in efforts to assist vulnerable females affected or exploited in these types of incidents.

Detective Chief Superintendant Dowling of the Garda National Immigration Bureau said, "An Garda Síochána will continue to proactively work with all the relevant agencies to detect and investigate any criminality in relation to the immigration system, particularly in regards to marriages of convenience being used for the purposes of securing an immigration advantage.

"This is the first phase of what will likely be a long term operation," he added.

Under the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014, enacted in August this year, a Registrar of Marriages has powers to consider whether a marriage is one of convenience.

55 formal objections to pending marriages have been made through Operation Vantage to date, and 22 people have been arrested and charged.

Gardaí say a further 30 marriages between EU/non-EU nationals have not proceeded, after both parties failed to show following Garda enquiries.