Groups of young people have been spotted combing an Irish beach after two large bales of suspected cocaine washed up on shore.

The Irish Independent said one group was detected scouring a long stretch of coastline at Horn Head outside Dunfanaghy with torches.

They were confronted after being observed on a farmer’s land on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, and said they were just trying to help with the search operation.

It happened after more than €4m (£3.4m) of suspected cocaine was found washed up on the shoreline on Wednesday morning in Dunfanaghy and Fanad.

According to police, the packages weighed up to 60kg – and will be tested Forensic Science Ireland to confirm the contents.

Another group was seen searching along the coastline at Bloody Foreland in Gaoth Dobhair.

Detectives are appealing to landowners in the Fanad Head area with coastal land – and any other people using the north Donegal coastline – to contact them if they see any similar packages or any other marine debris.

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They urged people not to interfered with anything found.

Officers from Customs and Excise cordoned off a pier yesterday in Magheraroarty in West Donegal and boarded a fishing vessel, which remains impounded.

Earlier this week, five tonnes of cocaine with a street value of £737m were seized from a “suspicious” fishing boat near Sicily.

According to border police, it was the biggest cocaine bust ever performed on Italian territory.

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