Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Predatory Lending Team (PLT) have praised a canine colleague following the seizure of a large quantity of cash and high-value items in Lisburn.

The operation, which took place on Thursday, 19 February, involved planned searches of three residential properties in the Donard Drive and Tirowen Drive areas. Police Dog (PD) Ice, a cocker spaniel, played a central role in the success of the searches.

During the operation, PD Ice located approximately £80,000 of the total £90,000 seized. In one property described as being in a derelict state, the specialist search dog discovered cash locked in metal boxes that had been concealed beneath floorboards in two separate rooms. He also alerted officers to further cash hidden within an attic. Detective Inspector O'Hara, from the PLT, said: "Ice was directly responsible for several cash finds during the searches, which totalled approximately £80,000. In one property, which appeared in quite a derelict state, PD Ice successfully located cash locked in metal boxes which had been hidden under two sets of floorboards in different rooms.

"He also found additional cash hidden in an attic of one of the properties, so the benefit of having PD Ice as part of the search team was clear.

"The total amount of cash seized from the searches ultimately totalled £90,000. PD Ice was instrumental in assisting us with these seizures – which resulted in two subsequent arrests – and it shows how integral our Dog Unit is to police work like this."

Following the searches, a 36-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of money laundering offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act and illegal money lending.

Both individuals have been released on bail pending further police enquiries.