Almost 700 sheep have been seized by police and Department of Agriculture officials in County Fermanagh.

Police have said the 670 animals were seized in the Bellanaleck and Derrylin area on Tuesday.

The sheep are believed to have been illegally imported from the Republic of Ireland, police said.

Insp Roy Robinson said the seizure had been part of a joint investigation into alleged cross-border criminality involving the movement of sheep.

"There have been concerns about the thefts, illegal movement and identification of livestock in border areas and a suspicion that the stolen animals were being moved across the border from both sides into the other jurisdiction," he said.

"Illegal movement of sheep can seriously undermine traceability and is a real threat to the trade on which the industry depends."