Around £250,000 in cash and over £50,000 worth of suspected drugs were seized following searches in the Cloughoge area of south Armagh.
The searches, carried out by detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch, took place on Thursday, October 16, and targeted both a commercial property and a residential address as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of drugs by organised criminal groups operating on both sides of the border.
Police say the seizures included large amounts of cash in both Sterling and Euro denominations, as well as suspected Class A and Class B drugs.
A significant quantity of jewellery and a substantial number of illicit cigarettes were also recovered.
Detective Inspector Sweeney, from the Organised Crime Branch, described the haul as a “real financial blow” to those involved.
“This cash has been seized as the suspected proceeds of crime, and next week we will lodge an application with the court to have this cash permanently confiscated,” he said.
“I have no doubt forfeiture of such sums represents a real financial blow to those organised criminal groups involved in this type of activity.”
DI Sweeney added that while police remain focused on arrests and prosecutions, removing the profits of organised crime is often the most effective deterrent.
“While we won’t stop arresting suspects, removing drugs from our streets and pursuing criminal prosecutions, we are also aware that taking away their criminal profit is often what really hurts these groups,” he continued.
“We are committed to making more of these seizures — and of larger sums.”
He also appealed for the continued support of the public in helping police disrupt organised crime.
“We rely on the help of the community to do such work,” he said. “I appeal for anyone with information relating to organised criminal activity to contact officers on 101.”
Information can also be provided online via the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.
Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
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