AROUND €290,000 IN cash in both euro and sterling denominations was seized yesterday in Newry in an operation targeting a crime group operating on both sides of the border.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch conducted searches of a commercial and a residential property in the Newry area yesterday.

It was part of an investigation into the supply of drugs by organised criminal groups operating on both sides of the border.

Cash seizures in both euro and sterling denominations were made, totalling close to €287,000 (£250,000).

Drugs with an estimated value of over €57,000 (£50,000) were also seized, in addition to a “substantial number of illicit cigarettes and a significant quantity of jewellery”.

A PSNI spokesperson said the cash which was seized was the “suspected proceeds of crime”.

Next week, the PSNI will lodge an application to have this cash permanently confiscated.

The PSNI spokesperson added that the “forfeiture of such sums represents a real financial blow to those organised criminal groups involved in this type of activity”.

The spokesperson further remarked: “While we won’t stop arresting suspects, removing drugs from our streets and pursuing criminal prosecutions, we are also aware that taking away their criminal profit is often what really hurts these groups.

“We are committed to making more of these seizures and of larger sums.”

The PSNI added that it relied on the “help of the community to do such work” and made an appeal for anyone with information relating to organised criminal activity to contact officers.