Northern Ireland

Suspected device leads to security alert following search by police investigating UDA activity

Police closed Dee Street in east Belfast to motorists on Monday following the discovery of a suspected device during a proactive search of a property. Picture by Hugh Russell
Police closed Dee Street in east Belfast to motorists on Monday following the discovery of a suspected device during a proactive search of a property. Picture by Hugh Russell Police closed Dee Street in east Belfast to motorists on Monday following the discovery of a suspected device during a proactive search of a property. Picture by Hugh Russell
By Staff Reporter

TWO people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act by police investigating activity linked to the UDA following a security alert in east Belfast.

A proactive search by police in the Dee Street area on Monday afternoon saw officers locate a suspected device, prompting the closure of the road to motorists while it was removed for forensic examination after being "made safe".

Officers from the PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force, investigating the activities of the West Belfast UDA, also found a quantity of suspected class B drugs during the search.

A man aged 31 and a woman aged 33 were arrested under the Terrorism Act, and both remained in police custody last night.

A PSNI spokesperson said two further linked searches of properties took place in east and south Belfast, during which a small quantity of suspected Class B drugs were seized along with electronic items.

Dee Street was reopened to motorists yesterday evening.