Police operation 'disrupts' major crime gang

A number of people were arrested across the country today in an international police operation against organised crime.

Arrests were also made in Holland as Dutch police co-ordinated with counterparts on both sides of the Irish border in a joint swoop on a major crime gang.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that one man had been taken into custody and a number of firearms seized in Belfast and that a number of arrests had also been made in the other two jurisdictions.

Gardaí and police in Holland have not yet released details about their respective operations.

The suspect arrested in Belfast is to be questioned in the Serious Crime Suite in Antrim.

PSNI Detective Superintendent Essie Adair said: “This is a significant operation targeting those involved in organised crime in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Europe.

“The investigation has been on-going for some time and has involved close liaison with colleagues in An Garda Síochána and the Dutch police service as well as HMRC (Revenue and Customs) and Irish Revenue Commissioners.

“We believe that this operation has disrupted a major organised crime gang. Those involved in these types of crimes are living off the backs of communities and leaving misery and despair in their wake. Today’s operation is extremely significant.”