The media campaign, which incorporates billboards, Facebook and washroom advertising will run across Northern Ireland for two weeks beginning on 8 October.
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The street drug culture is being targeted by the PSNI.[/caption]
Since Operation Torus began on 23 September, police in C District have conducted from 23 September to 6 October more than 234 searches, seizing drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £200,000. Sixty two people have also been arrested.
The officer leading ‘Op Torus’ in C District, Chief Inspector Derek Martin said: “We know that street-level drug dealing happens across all Districts throughout Northern Ireland.
“Drug use and drug dealing bring misery to individuals, families and communities. With Op Torus police are tackling this issue head on, delivering community safety in a real and tangible way.
“To date we have seized quantities of suspected cannabis, herbal cannabis, cocaine, mephadrone and prescription drugs and we continue to target those involved in the sale and supply of these and other drugs.
“Feedback from C District residents and partners regarding Op Torus has been overwhelmingly positive. They want to see dangerous and illegal drugs taken off our streets and those who supply them arrested and put through the criminal justice system.
“Our message today is clear and simple: if you see or know of anyone who is dealing drugs in your local area, then contact local police on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and pass on any details that you may have.
“This is about empowering local communities and working with them to make neighbourhoods safer and reduce the threat posed by drugs.”
In addition to the figures generated to date by Operation Torus, from 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013 The Police Service of Northern Ireland has seized £9.58 million worth of drugs in 4,107 drug seizure incidents and arrested 2,723 people. In C District police seized drugs worth more than £1.4 million pounds in 487 incidents and arrested 226 people.
