Anti-INLA raid: Money, electronics and suspected drugs found

Detectives from the PSNI’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force investigating criminality linked to the INLA today carried out a search in Londonderry.
Young children play beside a mural honouring the INLAYoung children play beside a mural honouring the INLA
Young children play beside a mural honouring the INLA

Detectives from the PSNI’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force investigating criminality linked to the INLA today carried out a search in Londonderry.

Police said it was a “proactive” search, and that “a sum of money, a number of electronic devices and a small quantity of suspected Class B controlled drugs were recovered”.

There was no mention of any arrests.

The INLA have been targets of sustained investigation by the PSNI’s anti-paramilitary squad, along with ongoing loyalist activity.

The PSNI said it is “committed to tackling criminality by INLA paramilitaries in the local area”.

In a statement it said: “We will continue to listen to the public and act on the information they provide us, to target those criminals, involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs at every opportunity.

“I would encourage members of the community who may have information that could assist our efforts, to please get in touch.

“We will listen to you and we will act on information you provide. You can call 101, or you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ .”

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

According to Ulster University’s CAIN project, the INLA murdered 113 people from its inception to 2001.

The IPLO, a linked organisation, killed another 22.

In February 2010, the INLA – riven with internal feuds and killings – issued this statement: “We see it as our duty as revolutionaries to persuade the working class that there exists massive benefits in embracing socialism and building a republic that embraces all the children of the nation equally and that is something worth fighting for.

“We believe that as the battlefield has changed then so too must our tactics. We will continue our struggle to bring about the republic for which so many of our comrades gave their lives pursuing.

“The circumstances which brought about the need for armed conflict have changed radically...

“We can now also confirm that the INLA has disarmed through a joint facilitation group consisting of a local, a national and an international organisation. This was done in a process in accordance with international standards.”

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