More than £200,000 seized in organised crime crackdown as police search properties in Cushendall
Cash seized by police during searches in Operation Lockstream
Monday 26 October 2026
Police have seized more than £200,000 in cash during a major crackdown on organised crime networks, including searches of two properties in Cushendall where almost £50,000 was recovered alongside tobacco, cigarettes and mobile phones.
The seizures formed part of Operation Lockstream, a nationwide multi-agency initiative targeting criminals suspected of exploiting road, rail and port networks, including routes within the Common Travel Area.
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch worked alongside HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and other law enforcement partners during a series of intelligence-led operations across Northern Ireland between August and October.
Almost £50,000 seized in Cushendall searches
On 30 September, officers searched two properties in the Cushendall area of County Antrim, recovering almost £50,000 in cash.
Police also seized 35kg of rolling tobacco, 2,400 cigarettes and five mobile phones during the searches.
The operation also resulted in a substantial cash seizure in Belfast, where officers working alongside the National Crime Agency discovered more than £170,000 concealed inside a vehicle.
A 36-year-old man was arrested following the vehicle search and subsequently charged with possession of criminal property. He appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on 25 September 2026.
Hundreds of people and vehicles checked across Northern Ireland
The wider operation involved several phases of enforcement activity targeting criminal haulier networks suspected of exploiting transport routes for financial gain.
Between 25 and 27 August, officers searched six commercial premises in County Fermanagh and engaged with hundreds of people and vehicles.
One person was reported for driving offences, while HMRC officers seized suspected illicit fuel.
Further activity between 21 and 27 September saw police engage with more than 400 people and search 141 vehicles across Northern Ireland.
A 19-year-old man was arrested in the Belfast area for illegal entry into the UK and passed to Home Office Enforcement for further action.
Additional searches were also carried out in the Newry area on 19 October.
Organised crime networks exploiting transport routes
Detective Chief Inspector Shaw said the operation formed part of a coordinated effort to prevent organised criminal groups from using transport networks to move people, money and illicit goods.
“This work is part of a nationwide, multi-agency approach to safeguarding the Common Travel Area and protecting our communities from harm.
“Over a three-day period from 25th to 27th August, officers targeted criminal haulier networks who exploit the Common Travel Area for their own financial gain. Six commercial premises in the Fermanagh area were searched and hundreds of people and vehicles were engaged with. One person was reported for driving offences and HMRC colleagues seized suspected illicit fuel.”
The Common Travel Area allows British and Irish citizens to move between the UK and Ireland under longstanding arrangements. Police say organised criminal networks seek to exploit potential weaknesses in these arrangements and the transport systems connecting different jurisdictions.
Detective Chief Inspector Shaw warned that the activities of organised crime groups extend beyond individual locations and require continued cooperation between enforcement agencies.
“Sophisticated organised crime networks work across international boundaries and look for every opportunity to exploit potential weaknesses in the Common Travel Area and transport networks.
“Our work continues year-round, and the intelligence and evidence we have gathered will feed into our ongoing investigations into a broad range of criminality, including the drug supply which brings so much misery to our communities.
“Working together with partners to keep people safe, we are committed to disrupting Organised Crime Groups (OCGs), pursuing offenders, and bringing them to justice.”
Police appeal for information from the public
Police have emphasised that information supplied by members of the public remains important in identifying suspected organised criminal activity and supporting investigations.
Detective Chief Inspector Shaw said:
“Our work relies heavily on the support of the public, and we continue to ask people to come forward with any information they have.
“I would encourage anyone with information about suspected organised criminality in their area to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.”
Anyone with information can contact police through the following channels:
• Telephone the PSNI non-emergency number on 101.
• Report information online at www.psni.police.uk/report.
• Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
• Submit an anonymous report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Police say intelligence and evidence gathered during Operation Lockstream will contribute to ongoing investigations into organised criminality, including drug supply, as enforcement activity continues throughout the year.
