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NI terrorism: Royal Marine arrested in Somerset NI terrorism: Royal Marine arrested in Somerset
(35 minutes later)
A serving Royal Marine has been arrested in Somerset as part of an investigation into Northern Ireland-related terrorism.A serving Royal Marine has been arrested in Somerset as part of an investigation into Northern Ireland-related terrorism.
Ciaran Maxwell, 30, from Larne, was detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command.Ciaran Maxwell, 30, from Larne, was detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command.
His was arrested after searches in Larne and Devon.His was arrested after searches in Larne and Devon.
The operation involved several UK police forces, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).The operation involved several UK police forces, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
It is understood MI5 is also involved in the operation in England.It is understood MI5 is also involved in the operation in England.
Following the arrest on Wednesday afternoon, police in Devon searched a house in Exminster and a wooded area nearby. The PSNI searched at least two houses on the Old Glenarm Road in Larne.Following the arrest on Wednesday afternoon, police in Devon searched a house in Exminster and a wooded area nearby. The PSNI searched at least two houses on the Old Glenarm Road in Larne.
It is understood that a number of laptops and mobile phones were seized from the houses as part of the investigation.It is understood that a number of laptops and mobile phones were seized from the houses as part of the investigation.
A woman, who said she was the aunt of Ciaran Maxwell, expressed fears for her family's safety following his arrest.A woman, who said she was the aunt of Ciaran Maxwell, expressed fears for her family's safety following his arrest.
She said the family only became aware this afternoon that police searches were being carried out.She said the family only became aware this afternoon that police searches were being carried out.
The wider family are believed to be well known in the town.The wider family are believed to be well known in the town.
Significant arms cacheSignificant arms cache
It is understood the operation is connected to the discovery of two arms dumps near Larne earlier this year, which were suspected to be linked to dissident republican paramilitaries.It is understood the operation is connected to the discovery of two arms dumps near Larne earlier this year, which were suspected to be linked to dissident republican paramilitaries.
In March, the PSNI said they had uncovered a "significant terrorist hide" of bomb-making components and explosives at Carnfunnock Country Park.In March, the PSNI said they had uncovered a "significant terrorist hide" of bomb-making components and explosives at Carnfunnock Country Park.
Among the items recovered were wiring, circuit boards, partially constructed power timer units and a small quantity of explosives.
In May, a second significant arms cache, including an armour-piercing improvised rocket and two anti-personnel mines, was found at Capanagh Forest, near Larne.In May, a second significant arms cache, including an armour-piercing improvised rocket and two anti-personnel mines, was found at Capanagh Forest, near Larne.
'Intelligence-led''Intelligence-led'
Mr Maxwell is suspected of being involved in preparing for acts of terrorism and is being held at a West Country police station.Mr Maxwell is suspected of being involved in preparing for acts of terrorism and is being held at a West Country police station.
Police said the operation was pre-planned and intelligence-led as part of a collaboration between the Met, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the South West Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit.Police said the operation was pre-planned and intelligence-led as part of a collaboration between the Met, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the South West Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit.
The arrest was the culmination of months of police work, said BBC News's home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford.The arrest was the culmination of months of police work, said BBC News's home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford.
The arrest was made at 12:20 BST by Met detectives supported by officers from Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Police.The arrest was made at 12:20 BST by Met detectives supported by officers from Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Police.
At the suspect's home town in Larne, heavily armed police supported forensic investigators as they searched houses.At the suspect's home town in Larne, heavily armed police supported forensic investigators as they searched houses.
Army technical officers, who are routinely deployed where there is a threat of explosives, were also involved in the operation.Army technical officers, who are routinely deployed where there is a threat of explosives, were also involved in the operation.
There was a significant police presence at Old Glenarm Road all afternoon, said BBC Newsline's David Maxwell at the scene.There was a significant police presence at Old Glenarm Road all afternoon, said BBC Newsline's David Maxwell at the scene.
He said he saw officers bringing a ladder into one of the houses, while bags of material were taken in and out of the properties.He said he saw officers bringing a ladder into one of the houses, while bags of material were taken in and out of the properties.
Police in Exminster were focusing on reassuring people in the area about the searches, said BBC News correspondent Jon Kay, adding that the search was expected to go on for some time.Police in Exminster were focusing on reassuring people in the area about the searches, said BBC News correspondent Jon Kay, adding that the search was expected to go on for some time.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are aware of a police investigation involving the arrest of a member of the armed forces under the 2000 Terrorism Act and will assist this investigation fully.A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are aware of a police investigation involving the arrest of a member of the armed forces under the 2000 Terrorism Act and will assist this investigation fully.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing investigation.""It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing investigation."