Chief Inspector Davy Beck of Newry and Mourne PSNI

A CRIME task force has uncovered animals being illegally slaughtered for food following planned searches.

The raid was carried out Co Armagh over claims that animals were being illegally butchered and then sent into the food chain without proper checks.

The PSNI, the Department of Agriculture, the Food Standards Agency and Newry and Mourne council are involved in the multi-agency raid

Maria Jennings, Food Standards Agency, said: “The information we have tells us that meat was being produced illegally, without official hygiene checks.

“We are currently investigating which businesses have been supplied with meat from the plant.

“We will provide further information once we have it.”

Chief Inspector Davy Beck from Newry and Mourne police said the investigation was at an early stage.

He confirmed that the aim was to address agricultural crime and work with partner organisations to protect the safety of the food chain.