A cross-border operation between gardaí in Co Monaghan and the PSNI in Mid Ulster has foiled criminal gangs planning to exploit the border, to carry out burglaries in the run up to Christmas.
The operation took place yesterday at Aughnacloy between the border Tyrone and Monaghan.
Yesterday's high-visibility 'day of action' involved officers from a number of units including neighbourhood policing teams, local policing teams, roads policing, tactical support, air support and specialist detectives.
It targeted criminals who might try to travel between jurisdictions to commit crime and attempt to evade detection.
During today’s operation, multiple vehicle checkpoints were implemented by PSNI officers at varying times across a number of border locations. A number of motorists were breathalysed at the roadside and found to be driving with excess alcohol, with one man found to be more than twice the legal limit.
Another driver was arrested for driving without a licence or insurance, and possession of criminal property. Elsewhere officers stopped another vehicle being driven by a disqualified driver who also had no insurance.
A number of detections for possession of class B drugs were also made during the operation.
An Garda Síochána Detective Superintendent John O’Flaherty who is based in Co Monaghan said: "Working together we can deny criminals the use of our roads. The border between our jurisdictions is not a barrier to effective police or a barrier to keeping people safe. It is certainly not a barrier to prosecuting offenders.”
Superintendent Stevenson concluded: "Today’s Day of Action highlights once again how important and necessary our close working partnership with An Garda Síochána is and we will continue to build on this coordinated approach.
By working side by side we can do more to tackle criminal networks who seek to exploit the border region.
It is important that criminals know that law enforcement in both jurisdictions will continue to work together to relentlessly pursue and apprehend them, and ultimately put them behind bars."
