WIREDGOV

Two men have been charged after a gun, drugs and cash were seized as part of an operation by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force in County Antrim.

National Crime Agency officers, supported by colleagues from the Police Service of Northern Ireland detained two men aged 49 and 56 on 15 December in Tully Road, Crumlin.

A quantity of cannabis and around £20,000 cash was recovered from the car they were travelling in.

As part of the same operation a property in Crumlin was searched, and a hand gun recovered.

After being questioned by NCA and PSNI officers, the 49-year-old man from Crumlin was charged with possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing class A and B drugs with intent to supply.

The 56-year-old man, from Blanchardstown in the Republic of Ireland, was charged with possessing class B drugs with intent to supply and concealing criminal property.

They will both appear before Coleraine Magistrates tomorrow.

NCA Regional Head of Investigations Gerry McLean said:

“Working with our partners as part of the PCTF we are determined to do all we can to target the organised criminality having such an impact on our communities. This investigation continues.”

The NCA, Police Service of Northern Ireland and HM Revenue & Customs established the PCTF to tackle criminality linked to paramilitary activity as part of the Executive's action plan on Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality, and Organised Crime.