Seven people have been arrested as part of what the PSNI has described as Northern Ireland's largest ever money laundering search operation.
Police say the operation was focused on the suspected international money laundering of criminal assets amounting to around £215 million (€252 million).
They believe fake companies were set up to launder money for Irish and UK crime gangs engaged in drugs, human trafficking and prostitution.
A total of 15 properties were searched across Northern Ireland over the past two days - in Belfast, Banbridge, Newry, Omagh and Ballymena.
The operation saw the PSNI liaising with the Garda Economic Crime Bureau, the Criminal Assets Bureau and a number of British organisations.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Ian Wilson said detectives targeted individuals "suspected of high end money laundering through bank accounts in the UK and internationally".
He explained: “We believe today’s operation is one of the most significant live investigations into money laundering in the UK.
“During our extensive investigation, we identified that a significant volume of suspected criminal cash was being laundered out of the country through a number of shell companies and bank accounts held here in Northern Ireland."
He added: "The investigation has identified over 50 companies and over 140 bank accounts
“In total, almost £215 million has been deposited to thousands of bank accounts across the UK and also transferred out of the UK through foreign exchange companies since 2011."
The arrests included six men - aged 33, 37, 39, 40, 50 and 67 - and one 32-year-old woman.
The 50 and 67-year-old men and the women remain in custody for questioning, while the other four men have been released on police bail.
