Second day of major PSNI raids across Northern Ireland net police high-priced artwork, bullets and jewels

In all, 10 searches were carried out at locations in Crossmaglen, Lurgan, Larne, Glenarm and Carnlough as part of what police are tonight calling “an ongoing proactive policing operation targeting organised crime gangs involved in the supply of drugs”.

Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney said in a statement: “Along with approximately £40,000 and 25,000 euro and high value items, these searches – which were conducted on Wednesday, October 12 and Thursday, October 13 - also resulted in the seizure of watches, weaponry including machetes, over 100 rounds of illegally held ammunition, an imitation firearm and suspected cannabis.

“A cannabis ‘grow house’ was also discovered at one of the locations.

“We remain committed to locating and seizing illegal drugs to take such dangerous substances off the streets.

“However, the organised crime gangs involved in such activity should be left in no doubt – we will also identify the money and assets they have made through their invidious trade, and we will take these assets off them.

“We rely on the community to help us and will act on any information you can provide us, so I would ask anyone with information about any criminality to 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.”

On Wednesday, the PSNI had announced a seperate series of seizures, targeting organised crime across Northern Ireland:

Police seize drugs - plus shoes, handbags and watches worth over £90,000 - in mass raids across Northern Ireland