Five charged after PSNI crime raids
POLICE in Northern Ireland have made a “significant” number of arrests and seized hundreds of thousands of pounds in a major UK sting against organised crime.
It comes after the National Crime Agency (NCA) cracked a top-secret encrypted communications system used by criminals to trade drugs and guns.
Across the UK, more than 700 people have been arrested so far, including police officers and law enforcement officials, and drugs worth £80m, 77 guns and more than £54m in cash has been seized.
A 64-year-old was arrested yesterday morning in Newry as part of more than two dozen searches which were carried out by the PSNI.
The raids were part of the NCA’S ‘Operation Venetic’, which targeted organised crime groups operating using encrypted technology in a bid to evade law enforcement.
The Nca-led operation saw the PSNI carry out 25 searches across Northern Ireland in collaboration with European and international partners.
Five other people have been charged as part of the operation, four of whom have been remanded in custody and one on High Court bail.
They collectively face 44 charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder, possession of significant amounts of criminal property, various drugs offences involving Class A and Class B drugs including conspiracy to import and also being concerned in the supply.
As part of the operation, 15 ‘Encro’ phones have been seized — custom Android encrypted devices which were thought to be ultra secure — along with more than £360,000 in cash.
Suspected Class A and B drugs were also seized, including 2.5kgs of suspected cannabis and cocaine.
Three high-value vehicles and numerous pieces of documentation, laptops and a number of items of jewellery and designer handbags were also seized.
A high-end vehicle was also seized as part of the operation in Newry.
The PSNI said it has mitigated over 15 threats to life during the operation.
Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Freeburn said: “This has been the largest and most significant law enforcement operation that has ever mounted in the United Kingdom in the fight against organised crime groups.
“It has focused on attacking their use of encrypted communication called Encro devices on which individual members of crime groups co-ordinate their illegal activities.
“The organised crime groups thought that by using encrypted technology they could fly below the radar of law enforcement; however this operation should send a clear message that the combined strength of PSNI working in partnership with our law enforcement partners that no-one is beyond the reach of the law.”
Evidence has now been secured which will help to prosecute a number of known criminals who thought they were beyond the PSNI’S reach, said Mr Freeburn.
“And there will be more to come as we continue to disrupt this criminal network operating here in Northern Ireland who have links to criminals both nationally and internationally,” he said.
Craig Naylor, NCA deputy director of investigations for Northern Ireland, Scotland and the North of England, said the operation was unprecedented.
“It is the broadest and most significant co-ordinated piece of activity into serious organised crime intended to cause significant damage to organised crime groups,” he said.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “I very much welcome the outcomes of the NCA’S work with police forces across the UK including the PSNI and in particular the takedown of a bespoke encrypted global communication service used exclusively by criminals.”