Royal marine charged with terrorism offences related to Northern Ireland
A Royal Marine has been charged with terrorism offences after an investigation involving police forces in the Westcountry.
30-year-old Ciaran Maxwell of Old Quarry Drive in Exminster is a serving member of the armed forces.
He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrate's Court later today. He is charged with:
The intention of assisting another to commit acts of terrorism
Purchasing or obtaining articles for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism
Manufacturing explosive substances
Constructing explosive devices
Creating and maintaining hides in England and Northern Ireland to store explosive substances, explosive devices, components for explosive devices, ammunition, weapons, tools and resources used during the construction of explosive devices and assorted other items linked to the preparation of an act of terrorism
Possession of a controlled drug - cannabis - with intent to supply
Possession of articles, namely images of bank cards and associated CVC numbers, for use in connection with fraud
Police have also released information about their investigation including details of what they have found. They included:
What police describe as a "library of documents" resulting from research about explosive substances, the construction of explosive devices and tactics used by terrorist organisations.
Chemicals and components to be used in the manufacture of explosive substances or the construction of explosive devices.
An image of an adapted Police Service of Northern Ireland pass card and items of Police Service of Northern Ireland uniform.
Ciaran Maxwell was arrested on Wednesday 24 August by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command supported by colleagues from Avon & Somerset and Devon & Cornwall Police.
Police say property searches in Exminster are now complete but searches at New Powderham Plantation in Devon will continue into next week and localised road closures will remain in place.
Police searches in Larne in Northern Ireland are also continuing.