Police in Northern Ireland have seized two assault rifles and a submachine gun in Derry.
The guns were seized after police investigating INLA criminality carried out a major search operation in the city under the UKs Terrorism Act.
A total of seven searches were carried out across the city.
A quantity of Class B drugs, around £13,000 (€14,600) in cash, illicit cigarettes, phones, tablets, documentation and counterfeit clothing were also seized.
Assault rifle seized after searches in Derry. Image: PSNITwo men, aged 43 and 44-years-old, were arrested and are currently in police custody.
Gardaí carried out further searches across the border in Donegal and uncovered around 60,000 illicit cigarettes a large quantity of tobacco, money, DVDs and counterfeit clothing.
PSNI Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: “The INLA in Derry and Strabane claim to be the protectors of their community but the reality is that they use violence and intimidation to control and exploit those communities.”
“Weapons like the ones seized today pose a threat to everyone and anyone who brings guns onto our streets does not care about our community.
“When a gun is fired there is no guarantee where the bullet could end up or who it could harm and the people of our city have seen the damage and devastation that this can cause.”
Assault rifle seized after searches in Derry. Image: PSNIHe said many members of the INLA are also involved in a “range of criminal money-making rackets” – including drugs, blackmail, extortion and money laundering.
“Despite what they say, it is clear that they do not mind drug dealers operating in the local area – as long as they’re getting their ‘cut’ from the profits,” he said.
“The INLA are hypocrites allowing those supplying illegal drugs to continue ruining the lives of those with addiction so long as they pay up – and if they don’t they are threatened with severe violence and murder.
“Local families suffer at the expense of INLA members lining their pockets.”
cigarettes seized after searches in Derry. Image: PSNIHe said the group is heavily involved in the supply of counterfeit goods and illicit cigarettes which it uses to fund criminality.
