DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch investigating a sophisticated drugs-in-the-post network with links to Northern Ireland have arrested a 24 year old woman in London.The arrest is the latest stage in a complex investigation which earlier this month saw police seize £560,000 worth of cannabis in Belfast and charge two men with drugs offences. A woman who was also arrested was released on bail.

Detectives are investigating a network in which drugs are posted into Northern Ireland from locations outside the UK and are then re-distributed to other parts of NI and Great Britain. Upmarket residential premises have been used in Belfast as a distribution hub and police have also recovered equipment which is used in cannabis cultivation.

A number of linked cash and drugs seizures have been made in other parts of Northern Ireland including Carrick and Portadown.

Cars have been seized and restraining orders imposed on bank accounts.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Inspector Andy Dunlop, said: “This is a rapidly evolving investigation which so far has identified patterns of cannabis delivery into Northern Ireland, the movements of substantial amounts of money between bank accounts within the UK and evidence of cannabis cultivation here.

“I believe that an organised crime group with strong links to South East Asia has been operating a major drugs supply network .

“We have devoted substantial resources to this investigation from within Organised Crime Branch and District policing and we will continue to police the threat posed by drugs as part of our commitment to keep people safe.

“I would asked anyone with information about drugs or suspicious activity to contact either the police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”The 24 year old woman is being brought to Belfast for questioning at a city police station.

A number of items have been seized from premises in London for further examination.