Stolen machinery recovered in cross-border searches

Culmination of a two year investigation connected to fraudulent activity using stolen or cloned credit cards.

Gardaí have seized suspected stolen machinery as part of a Cross Border Joint Action Task Force (JATF) Operation involving officers in the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division.

Local Gardaí, assisted by the Armed Support Unit, conducted a search operation on Tuesday, July 16, at a property in Co Monaghan.

At the same time garda colleagues in the PSNI conducted a number of searches in South Armagh, also as part of this operation.

Its the culmination of a two year cross border investigation which is connected to fraudulent activity using stolen or cloned credit cards.

During the course of the search officers seized suspected stolen machinery.

"No persons were arrested," say Gardaí.

The spokesperson explained that An Garda Síochána and the PSNI have been liaising in relation to a large number of fraud incidents that have occurred in both jurisdictions over the past two years.

"The frauds occur whereby, the victim agrees to sell items such as machinery, mini diggers, forklifts, quads, coal etc. and the buyer has used a stolen or cloned credit card, or provided a screenshot of a fake or cancelled bank transfer. The goods are then handed over but the seller receives no money."