Justice Minister welcomes Operation Venetic results

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “I very much welcome the outcomes of the NCA’s work with police forces across the UK including the PSNI and in particular the takedown of a bespoke encrypted global communication service used exclusively by criminals.

“This sends a strong message of the resolve and determination of all law enforcement agencies to work together to tackle serious and organised crime.”

In Northern Ireland the operation led to the seizure of 15 Encro phones, over £360,000 cash, over 2.5Kg Cannabis and personal use cocaine.

The Minister said: “I am particularly pleased to read of the successes in Northern Ireland which also involved HMRC and I note the substantial seizures of cash and drugs. While the scale of organised crime is global, the harm caused by organised crime is wide reaching too.  I am working hard to introduce a new organised crime strategy and further legislation to add to the tools available to disrupt serious and organised crime groups and to support law enforcement agencies and to make NI a place where organised crime cannot thrive.”

Notes to editors: 

1.  All Department of Justice media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office by emailing Press.Office@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk 

2.  The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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