Gardaí have arrested two women and seized a large sum of cash as part of a money laundering operation in Co Laois.

Shortly after 2.00pm on Monday, Gardaí stopped a car on the M7 motorway southbound and recovered €50,000 in cash.

The two women in the car, aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested at the scene.

They were both brought to Portlaoise Garda station, where they are being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act on suspicion of money laundering.

They can be held for up to 24 hours.

The operation involved Laois-based divisional roads policing and local Garda units.

Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.