Drugs seizure by the Organised Crime Unit scoops around £12Million in Newry.
Approximately £12million of suspected Class A and B drugs have been seized following operations involving detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Unit as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, the National Crime Agency, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and police colleagues in Belgium.
Yesterday, detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland seized suspected herbal cannabis during a search at a haulage yard in Newry. One man, aged 34, has been arrested and is assisting police with their enquiries.
In a separate investigation into the importation of Class A drugs, detectives from the Organised Crime Unit have been liaising with the National Crime Agency and colleagues from the Belgian Police in relation to an ongoing investigation into an Organised Crime Group, which are based in Northern Ireland and believed to be operating on an international scale.
On Friday 26 March Belgian authorities conducted a search of a vehicle, and subsequently seized a significant quantity of suspected cocaine. On Saturday morning of 27 March 2021 two men were arrested by PSNI officers in the Belfast area in respect of this investigation and have been assisting police with their enquiries. They are currently on police bail as the investigation into this criminality continues.
Head of the Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Detective Chief Superintendent John McVea said: “The cannabis seizure in Newry is the largest seizure to date in Northern Ireland.
“There is no doubt that by taking these drugs off the streets of Northern Ireland we have significantly impacted the funding stream of this organised crime gang.
“We will continue to work in partnership with our colleagues in the Organised Crime Taskforce to identify, disrupt, dismantle and frustrate organised crime gangs, not only in Northern Ireland, but across Europe.”
Brady Welcomes £12 Million Suspected Drug Seizure
Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has welcomed news that suspected drugs estimated to be worth £12 million have been seized in Newry.
The Newry and Armagh MP said: “News that almost £12 million of illegal drugs have been seized by the PSNI in a search in Newry is to be welcomed.
“The fact that these drugs will now not find their way into the criminal supply chain is good news.
“Drugs and the associated criminality destroy our communities and have blighted many lives. Those involved in this activity must be put before the courts”.
The Sinn Féin elected representative added: “I would encourage anyone with information on the supply of illegal drugs to bring it forward to the PSNI.”
