100 officers involved in two-day North Belfast UVF searches

Tuesday, 12 September 2017 17:42

By David Hunter

The PSNI say more than 100 officers have been involved in a two-day operation investigating the North Belfast branch of the UVF.

14 properties have been searched in Belfast and Newtownabbey, with two men and a woman being arrested.

Detective Inspector Heather Whoriskey said: “This two-day operation, involving around 100 officers, demonstrates the PSNI’s commitment to tackling all types of criminality linked to paramilitaries.

“While these searches and arrests focused specifically on the North Belfast UVF, we will continue to target all paramilitary groups and disrupt their illegal activities which only serve to blight the communities they operate in.

“These people target the most vulnerable members of their communities – people who are struggling to make ends meet or perhaps those who have an addiction and need help. The stark reality is that they are not helping but instead exerting control and fear over them.

A range of items were seized by police during the operation including:

Approximately £32,000 in cash
9,000 contraband cigarettes
Imitation firearm
Money lending ledgers
UVF paraphernalia including flags & fleeces
Computers and mobile phones
Three vehicles
24 airsoft rifles

IMAGE: Some of the cash seized as part of the two day operation

“This is why we are committed to disrupting these types of criminal activities - including money lending, drugs and firearms offences, selling counterfeit goods as well as paramilitary style attacks - and the paramilitaries behind them." said DI Whoriskey.

“These criminals are a blight on society and the communities they exert their control over. We are working hard to rid our communities of the paramilitary groupings but we need your help.

“I understand that people feel afraid to speak out against these paramilitaries, but police need information from local people – as we will act on information we receive. It may not always be visible and immediate but please be assured that every piece of information is assessed and acted on.”