Cash seized in Omagh raid linked to INLA paramilitaries

A spokesperson said the PSNI was committed to tackling organised crime from paramilitary groups

    PCTF - Paramilitary Crime Task Force        raid property in Omagh linked to the                       INLA paramilitaries 

                   15th July, 2022. 

Cash and other items have been seized at a property in Omagh by police investigating paramilitary activity.

Police officers from the PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force raided the property on Thursday, July 14, as part of an investigation into criminality linked to the INLA.

A spokesperson said the PSNI was committed to tackling organised crime from paramilitary groups.

"Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) have seized a quantity of cash and other items during a search of a property in Omagh on Thursday, as part of an investigation into suspected criminality linked to the INLA," the PSNI said.

Detective Sergeant Corinne Lennox said: “Following a proactive search of a property in the Omagh area we recovered a quantity of cash and a number of other items.

“The searches and seizures are a demonstration of the PCTF’s commitment to tackle all types of organised criminality linked to paramilitaries, in an ongoing effort to rid our communities of the harm these groups cause and of their coercive control.

"Our enquiries are ongoing and we would like to thank the local community for their continued support and will continue to act on the information you provide us.

With many thanks to: Belfast Live and Conor Coyle Fermanagh and Tyrone reporter for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more information on this story: PSNI whistleblowers to appear in court

Sinn Féin expels Councillor convicted of serious criminal offence

Cash seized in Omagh raid linked to paramilitaries

East Belfast UVF trio have bail overturned by High Court judge

THREE men accused of being part of a cocaine and cannabis dealing network with links to the East Belfast UVF must remain in custody, a High Court judge has ruled. 

Lord Justice Treacy overturned a decision to grant bail to Glenn Rainey, 36, his 42-year-old brother Mark Rainey, and William Hunter, 34, over their alleged roles in a wholesale drug supply network. 

He said: "I agree with the prosecution that there is a grave risk of reoffending."

The trio were arrested in August last year as part of a wider investigation into suspected crimes carried out by the East Belfast UVF. 

Based on messages on seized mobile phones, prosecutors claim they have been involved in the illicit drug trade, with discussions about money owed and threatening violence to those who couldn't pay their debts. 

So-called "safe houses" were used to keep any large quantities of drugs and cash away from their home addresses, it was contended. 

Glen Rainey, from McArthur Court; Mark Rainey, of St Patricks Walk and William Hunter, from Upper Canning Street - all in Belfast - face charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs. 

The defendants deney any wrongdoing and are not accused of any paramilitary offences. 

At Belfast Magistrates' Court last week they were each granted bail after being returned for trial. 

Appealing that decision to release them from custody, counsel for the Public Prosecution Service said the evidence pointed to persistent involvement in drug offences. 

"It's our case these three men are part of an organised gang," she said. 

Defence lawyers disputed the scale of the alleged criminality and inferences drawn from phone messages. 

However, Lord Justice Treacy held that previously expressed concerns about any release had not diminished before overturning the decision to release them. 

With many thanks to: The Irish News for the original publication. 

Follow this link to find out more on this story: East Belfast UVF trio have bail overturned by High Court judge