Illegal streaming machines seized in Christmas crackdown

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Joint operation sees 18 searches carried out across Northern Ireland

Police and Customs officers launched a Christmas crackdown on dodgy goods today with a series of raids across Northern Ireland.

Thousands of cigarettes and illegal streaming machines were among items seized during planned searches across Belfast, Derry, Dundonald and Banbridge.

One witness to the operation told Belfast Live there were a large number of unmarked vehicles in the New Lodge district on Wednesday morning ahead of the searches.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the PSNI confirmed that detectives from Belfast Criminal Investigation Branch “investigating organised criminality” carried out 18 searches “in conjunction with HMRC and FACT – the UK’s leading intellectual property protection organisation”.

They said that during the searches they seized over 8,000 cigarettes, 2.9 kgs of rolling tobacco, 232 cigars, 50 illegal streaming devices and approximately £5,000 in cash.

Two men were arrested during the “multi-agency operation”.

A police spokesman added: “One 48-year-old male arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud in the Galliagh area of Derry/Londonderry has been bailed pending further enquiries. A 31-year-old male arrested in the Dundonald area on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and possessing articles for use in fraud is currently helping with police enquiries.”

Detective Inspector Natalie McNally said the “joint operation today is a further demonstration of our determination to tackle organised crime and those that gain from it”.

A warning was also issued about the dangers of piracy which “threatens” the TV and film industry.

Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT said: “From sound engineers, costume designers, set carpenters and camera crew - hundreds of thousands of people’s jobs are directly affected each time TV, sport or films are pirated.

"There are also many risks facing the consumer that they may not be aware of. Not only is using a device to stream content without the right permissions or subscriptions breaking the law, but these devices pose a fire and electrical risk, as well as often exposing users to malware, viruses and explicit content.”