Two County Armagh men have been arrested in the Netherlands as part of an international investigation into suspected money laundering and tobacco smuggling.
The arrests were part of a joint operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Dutch Customs (FIOD) officers on Thursday.
The men are aged 36 and 42 remain in custody.
Meanwhile, a Dutch national was also arrested in the operation.
HMRC officers, supported by the PSNI, searched three residential properties and a commercial premises in County Armagh as part of the operation.
A property in County Tyrone was also searched.
Officers seized 30kgs of tobacco, 50,000 cigarettes, believed to be illicit, and 30,000 euros (£25,100) in the County Armagh raids. Two vans and computers were also seized.
Steve Tracey, from HMRC, said: “Money laundering facilitates organised crime, and it’s something HMRC takes very seriously.
“We use a wide range of tough sanctions and will not hesitate to investigate where money laundering is suspected.”
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