Weapons seized by gardai as part of their mammoth Dublin haul are currently being tested by ballistic experts to determine if the lethal pieces have been used in previous murders or shootings in Ireland or abroad.

The weapons -- described by detectives as 'military and police-spec' -- have yet to be ballistically tested, but detectives say the weapons found were "in very good condition and ready to be deployed".

In a week of raids and seizures on gun trade destined for Ireland, detectives say they have significantly dented a drug and gun ring here -- blowing apart a previously successful distribution network.

A number of the sophisticated weapons were almost certainly destined for the Dublin market and detectives say they fear they would have ended up in the hands of feuding hoods.

The raids in Dublin, Belfast and Amsterdam were the result of an on-going Dublin-based garda operation, code named Operation Bench.

In one of the best weeks on record for gardai in the fight against gangland activity, garda chiefs also praised the efforts of their Dutch counterparts following another significant haul.

"It's an example of what can be achieved when we all work together, and combating this dealing in firearms and drugs across borders into this country needs this type of international co-operation," Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said. "I see this as just one part of an ongoing operation," he added.