On-trade

PSNI recover £900K-worth of stolen kegs

Detectives from PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Division have recovered a large quantity of stolen beer kegs belonging to a drinks distributor, worth an estimated value of £900,000 retail. 

 

 

 

As part of an investigation into organised crime the PSNI had carried out searches in the Mallusk and Omagh areas over recent weeks resulting in a 55 year-old man being arrested in the Holywood area on 14th May on suspicion of theft. He was released on bail pending further enquiries. A 55 year-old man was also arrested in the Omagh area on 21st May on suspicion of theft and released on bail pending further enquiries.


“Drinks distributors use these kegs to deliver their product to licensed premises across Northern Ireland and then recover them when they are empty,” explained Detective Chief Inspector Dunny McCubbin, “In total the stolen beer kegs recovered as part of our investigation are worth an estimated retail value of £900,000 and the thefts have a significant financial impact on businesses that distribute their product to licensed premises. Two men were arrested as a result of our searches and the investigation continues.”

Diageo Ireland has introduced a “keg balancing scheme” with its customers “aimed at making the industry more accountable for the security of our kegs,” according to a Diageo spokesperson, “We feel that we’ve made significant strides in combatting theft”.

 

 

 


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