Ten people were arrested today in a major crackdown on a multi-million pound fuel smuggling and money laundering operation by criminals on both sides of the border.
More than 31 premises were also searched in south Armagh, Co Tyrone, and north Co Louth. Significant amounts of fuel and cash were also confiscated.
At one stage, a petrol station, an accountants office and a bureau de change were sealed off.
Security sources said Operation Spendthrift was one of the biggest of its type ever mounted.
The Criminal Assets Bureau and the North’s Organised Crime Task Force were involved.
Sources in Dublin said that the action was aimed at a suspected organised criminal gang with possible links to dissident republicans opposed to the peace process.
Millions of pounds a week in tax revenue are lost because of fuel smuggling and money laundering activities.
It was understood that an accountants' office in Dundalk, Co Louth, a filling station and a bureau de change in Monaghan were searched in early morning police raids.
Premises in Keady, Middletown and Richill, Co Armagh and Moy, Co Tyrone were among the properties searched in Northern Ireland.
PA