Detectives have praised the work of one of their four-legged colleagues after a large quantity of cash and high-value items were seized during searches which also resulted in two arrests this month.
Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Predatory Lending Team (PLT) conducted planned searches of three residential properties in the Donard Drive and Tirowen Drive areas of Lisburn on Thursday, 19th February.
Also assisting with the searches was Police Dog (PD) Ice, a cocker spaniel who was instrumental in the success of the operation.
Detective Inspector O’Hara, from the PLT, said: “Ice was directly responsible for several cash finds during the searches, which totalled approximately £80,000. In one property, which appeared in quite a derelict state, PD Ice successfully located cash locked in metal boxes which had been hidden under two sets of floorboards in different rooms.
“He also found additional cash hidden in an attic of one of the properties, so the benefit of having PD Ice as part of the search team was clear.
“The total amount of cash seized from the searches ultimately totalled £90,000. PD Ice was instrumental in assisting us with these seizures – which resulted in two subsequent arrests – and it shows how integral our Dog Unit is to police work like this.”
Following the searches, a 36-year-old man and 59-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending and money laundering offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Both have since been released on bail, to allow for further police enquiries.