THE Garda and the RUC have joined forces with police in Britain in an operation aimed at breaking a car theft ring based in Cumbria.
Garda Headquarters confirmed it was taking part in a Cumbria police operation, but said details could not be disclosed.
The operation began yesterday when some 50 Cumbria police officers raided premises in the west of the county and other locations in the north of England. They made some arrests and seized vehicles and other evidence.
Similar raids took place in the Republic and in Northern Ireland in order to locate and seize vehicles - mainly Toyotas - which had been transported from Britain.