Almost £83,000 pounds worth of drugs was seized in the Southern area during the most recent Torus operation which is part of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s response to the sale and supply of illegal and harmful drugs in our communities.
The operation ran from September 1st to October 16th resulting in 322 searches and 199 arrests. South area covers the following districts – Lisburn and Castlereagh, North Down and Ards, Newry, Mourne & Down, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon, Mid Ulster and Fermanagh & Omagh.
Drugs seized during this operation included Cocaine, Heroin, Cannabis Resin, Herbal Cannabis, Cannabis Plants, Ecstasy, Tramadol, and Diazepam.
Speaking about the results Chief Superintendent Alywin Barton said: “There is no denying that communities are safer for having these drugs taken off the streets and we are grateful to the public for their ongoing support. I have no doubt that information we have received directly from local people has resulted in some of these seizures.
“Drug addiction and abuse can affect anyone and we recognise that many vulnerable people are being exploited for the financial gain of those higher up the supply chain. We know that criminal gangs are using drugs to pressurise others to commit crimes. We know that people feel they can’t come forward and speak out. However, this recent operation demonstrates that we will act on the information you give us and that we are committed to ridding our communities of drugs and drug dealers.
“We can always do better but only with your help. If you have any information about drug dealing in your community then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or your local police on the non-emergency number 101.”
(The value placed on the drugs seized is approximate and subject to change pending forensic analysis.)
