A 35-year-old man has been charged under the Explosives Act and Firearms Order after police officers searched properties in north Belfast and recovered a number of suspicious devices.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that the individual faces offences including two counts of possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances. He has also been charged with possessing a prohibited weapon capable of discharging electricity or noxious gas. The suspect is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The charges follow police searches carried out on Friday and Saturday across properties in the Shankill Road and Edwina Street areas of north Belfast. During the operation, officers located and seized several suspicious devices along with other items, which have been retained for forensic examination.
The public safety operation was conducted alongside ammunition technical officers, leading authorities to temporarily evacuate local residents as a precaution. DCI McCallum confirmed that all security cordons have now been lifted and residents have been permitted to return home, thanking members of the community for their patience while inquiries were carried out over Friday and Saturday.
