£1m of suspected cannabis seized in Belfast

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Organised Crime Unit, supported by Border Force and Belfast Harbour Police, conducted he operation in the Belfast Harbour area on Tuesday morning (December 20).

A vehicle was stopped and searched, which led to the suspected cannabis being seized.

The PSNI said the cannabis had been vacuum packed and concealed within divan beds inside the vehicle.

A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class B controlled drug and possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply.

“He was taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave police station for questioning and remains in custody at this time,” said the PSNI.

Detective Inspector Shaw said: “This search, seizure and arrest was conducted as part of our ongoing commitment to address the criminality linked to drug importation, supply and use that often results in drug debts, drug addiction and drug related deaths within our communities.

“Through multi-agency efforts we will continue to carry out operations, to break the cycle of those who seek to cause harm through the illegal importation and supply of drugs in Northern Ireland, and to dismantle the organised criminal gangs who profit from this incredibly harmful activity.

“This type of large scale importation is conducted by sophisticated organised crime gangs and these gangs are utterly ruthless in their exploitation of the most vulnerable in our society and they cause this misery for no other reason than personal profit.”

Det Insp Shaw said this “scourge” cannot be tackled without the help of the public and is appealing to anyone with information about illegal drug use or supply to call police.