DETECTIVES have charged a 49 year old male after a house raid which netted illegal firearms.

He has been charged with possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possession of firearm after conviction, handling stolen goods, obstructing police and disorderly behaviour.

He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court later this morning, Thursday, May 24, for a first remand hearin

The charges are in connection with the discovery of a number of firearms during a search of a property in the Springfield Road area of West Belfast on Wednesday 23 May.

A 51 year old female also arrested as part of the same investigation has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.