A man has been arrested and suspected drugs worth over £200,000 and illegal cigarettes have been seized in South Belfast.
Over 110,000 packets of cigarettes were seized.
Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said officers patrolling the Ormeau area of Belfast yesterday afternoon (Thursday 11 February) stopped a vehicle and arrested a 43-year-old man.
Follow-up searches were conducted of two houses in South Belfast and another in Tandragee.
“We have recovered a significant amount of cigarettes which we suspect have been smuggled here illegally. Also a significant amount of suspected Class B controlled drugs with a potential street value in excess of £200,000 and an amount of cash,” said Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick.
The man is currently in custody being interviewed by Detectives from Organised Crime.
“The seizure of these suspected drugs is further evidence of our commitment to removing dangerous drugs and harmful substances from our communities, thwarting the efforts of those criminals who are intent on profiting from the detrimental effects drug use causes in communities.”
Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said the demand for drugs fuels the local criminal drug trade which causes irreparable damage and loss to many families.
“Particularly during the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, as the majority of people are working hard to protect the NHS, drug dealers continue to show their disdain for everyone’s safety by engaging in drug dealing, endangering lives and increasing pressures on our emergency services and frontline workers,” he added.
“I would appeal to anyone with information about illegal drug use or drug dealing to call police on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. The independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”