Gardaí have arrested four men as part of an operation targeting organised criminal activity in Dublin.

At around 10.30am Gardaí from the newly amalgamated Organised Crime Unit and Garda National Drug Unit stopped and searched two cars on Harold Road in Stoneybatter.

During a search of one of the cars - a taxi - two men were found concealed in the boot.

The driver was the sole occupant of the second car.

A number of items including a large-bladed knife and balaclavas were recovered during the searches.

Three men aged in their 30s and one man in his late 40s were arrested at the scene and are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at Mountjoy and Store St. Garda Stations.

Gardaí say the investigation is ongoing.