Police probe of UDA in Belfast leads to five arrests

Five people were arrested by police investigating the West Belfast UDA.

On Monday, officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force searched a number of properties in Bangor and Newtownards.

Arrests were made and a range of items seized.

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Cummings said: “Earlier today, we carried out five searches in the Bangor and Newtownards areas and arrested four men aged 46, 35, 33 and 33. They are currently in police custody being questioned by detectives.

"A 35-year-old woman was also arrested and was later street bailed pending further enquiries. A suspected quantity of Class B drugs, mobile phones and documentation were seized and have been taken away for further examination.

“ West Belfast UDA are a priority for the PCTF due to the breadth of their criminality and the harm that they cause to the local community. Paramilitaries claim to protect local people but in reality they exploit them by supplying illegal drugs and using violence to try and control their markets.

“Working with our partners and communities we are committed to tackling the criminality of these groups. Anyone with any information no matter how trivial they may think it is, should bring that to police on 101 or to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Later on Monday, police said the three men, aged 33, 35 and 46, had been released unconditionally. A 33 year old man also arrested, remains in custody at this time.

Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.

Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.

Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .