Officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force have charged four men following a significant operation in east Belfast against the UVF.

All four will remain in police custody to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 21, for a first remand hearing.

The men aged 51, 49, 47 and 34 are to appear on a number of charges including possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

The  51-year-old, 47-year-old and 34-year-old have also been charged with possession of explosives in suspicious circumstances and possession of explosives with intent to endanger life.

The 49-year-old man has been charged with possession of articles for use in terrorism.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. 

The charges follow searches of three residential properties and one business premises in the Lower Newtownards Road area of east Belfast on Friday and Saturday, 18th and 19th November.

The Paramilitary Crime Task Force searches were relating to suspected paramilitary activity linked to the East Belfast UVF.