Three men have been jailed by judges in Den Bosch for drugs and weapons offences in connection with a major police investigation into criminal gangs in the south of the country.

The men, ranging in age from 37 to 53, were jailed for between one and two years, three months suspended, for dealing lsd, marijuana and ecstasy. A 50-year-old woman, who was caught with a loaded gun at her home, was given 180 hours community service.

The four were among 56 people arrested when police mounted raids at 124 premises across the south of the country.

Operation Trefpunt involved 1,500 police officers and other officials and the justice ministry said it was one of the biggest operations of its kind ever staged in the Netherlands.

A number of drugs labs were closed down and weapons and cash confiscated. The investigation centred on a party supplies rental agency in Best named Party King.

It is unclear how many other people face legal proceedings in connection with the investigation.