PSNI seize wine worth £30,000, a vehicle and £10,000 cash in organised crime raid

The PSNI has seized “several pallets of wine” worth £30,000 and £10,000 in cash as part of a police operation described by the National Crime Agency as “a massive breakthrough in the fight against serious and organised crime”.
By Niall Deeney
Published 24th Mar 2021, 20:45 BST
Police have appealed for informationPolice have appealed for information
Police have appealed for information

Detectives from the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Branch arrested a man and carried out three searches in the Newry area as part of Operation Venetic — an operation that got underway across the UK last year after the takedown of a bespoke encrypted global communication service the National Crime Agency say was used exclusively by criminals.

Speaking about the arrest and the searches in Newry today, PSNI Detective Inspector McCamley said: “Detectives from Criminal Investigation Branch’s Organised Crime Unit continue to play their part in the UK’s biggest law enforcement operation against serious and organised criminality. As part of this, officers carried out a search of three properties in the Newry area today.

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“Detectives seized a quantity of cash in excess of £10,000, one vehicle and several pallets of wine valued at approximately £30,000 on behalf of HMRC who will carry out an investigation in respect of potential evasion of excise duty.

“A 47 year old man was arrested as part of the operation for Entering into an Arrangement to Acquire Criminal Property. He has been taken to custody where he is being questioned by detectives.”

The PSNI detective continued: “This is an example of our ongoing commitment to bring those involved in criminal activity to justice. Working alongside our partner agencies, we will continue to disrupt the movements and activities of Organised Crime Gangs. We recognise the harm caused in our communities as a result of organised crime and we will continue to keep people safe from this activity.”

A police spokesperson added: “Anyone with information about any criminality should contact police on 101 or anonymously through the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111, which gives people the power to speak up and stop crime and help us keep your community safe. You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

“Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/”