Six arrested over dumping probe

Police are probing allegations of illegal dumping and laundering

Four men and two woman have been arrested in County Fermanagh and Derbyshire in connection with money laundering linked to illegal dumping.

The people have been arrested as part of an investigation into the work of an organised criminal gang.

A total of 18 locations were raided in north Antrim, Fermanagh, Belfast and Derbyshire as part of the operation.

A 38-year-old man was arrested in Derbyshire, while the rest were detained in Derrylin.

The other men arrested are aged 32, 42 and 61, while the two woman are aged 44 and 32.

Radar technology used

It is alleged a substantial quantity of cash was found during one of the searches in Northern Ireland and illegally held plant machinery and an illegal fuel laundering plant were seized in Derbyshire.

A team from Queen's University in Belfast has been assisting the police at the search sites in Fermanagh.

It has been using specialist ground radar technology designed to locate deeply buried material.

The operation follows an investigation into illegal dumping in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland going back a number of months.

It is believed the police are investigating three areas of criminality - illegal dumping, money laundering and the theft of heavy plant machinery.

Last November, police investigating illegal dumping in Derrylin recovered stolen goods worth about £200,000.