Dogs sniffing out criminals' cash

A springer spaniel discovered £21,500 in a TV

Dogs are being trained to find cash hidden in TV sets and drainpipes in the battle against organised crime.

About £40,000 has been discovered by the animals in raids in counties Antrim and Armagh this month.

A springer spaniel called Sam detected £21,500 wrapped in plastic bags and concealed in a TV in an operation in Portrush on Saturday.

Earlier this month, £18,000 in sterling and euros was found hidden in a garage drainage pipe at a house in Armagh by a Labrador called Rio.

Police said no arrests were made in either operation.

The PSNI has spent £30,000 in breeders' fees for the six dogs, which have been in training for months.

The animals are based with their handlers at Steeple Barracks in Antrim.

Police are using the dogs to target drug dealers, extortionists and other criminals who are trying to avoid detection by not putting illegally-gained money into bank accounts.

Detective Superintendent Pat Steele, head of the PSNI's Economic Crime Bureau, said: "These two seizures alone have proved the worth of buying and training these dogs.

"Any money we get through the courts will be ploughed back into the fight against crime."

He added: "The dogs are there for us to use as and when we need them. The criminals will be paying for the sniffer dogs."