Serious crime suite in Antrim

DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit investigating dissident republican activity have arrested a man and seized explosives.

The 47 year old was arrested in Co Antrim following a search operation in north Belfast last night and today.

During searches of a flat at Maeve House in the New Lodge area, police have recovered what they believe to be a substantial amount of high explosives.

District Commander Chief Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw said: “Police believe this to be a significant discovery. It beggars belief that quantities of high explosives could be stored in a block of flats in which hundreds of people are living.

“I welcome the fact that colleagues from Serious Crime Branch have taken this material out of circulation. It has been removed for detailed examination but we believe it to be high explosives.

“District officers will continue to work with colleagues and the community to ensure that everyone is kept safe from the threats posed by those individuals and groups who would seek to inflict death and injury.

“The search operation is continuing. We apologise for any inconvenience or disruption but we need to ensure that everything has been done to keep people safe.”

The suspect is being questioned at Antrim police station.

Police say it is not possible to be specific about the high explosives or the quantity involved other than to describe both as “significant”.