The massive £2.5 million cocaine seizure found by police

POLICE have uncovered one of the biggest hauls of cocaine ever made in Northern Ireland.

An estimated 50 kilos of suspected cocaine were found at commercial premises in County Tyrone yesterday.

Following the receipt of information District police officers examined a recently delivered container of furniture and identified two suitcases packed with bags of white powder.

These have tested positive as cocaine during initial examination.

Detective Superintendent Noel Mullan, from Organised Crime Branch, said: “This was a fortuitous find.

“I want to commend District colleagues and everyone involved for their diligence when the suitcases were discovered.

“The white powder has been field tested at the scene and it registered as cocaine. It has now been taken to Forensic Science laboratories under armed guard at Seapark for detailed examination.

The 50 kg of cocaine was found in suitcases among a consignment of furniture

“There is no suggestion that the company based at the premises knew what was in the container.

“A conservative value for this haul would be £2.5 million. A street value would be substantially higher.

“It is undoubtedly one of the biggest cocaine finds ever made in Northern Ireland.

“To put this in context, over a three year period from 2011/12 to 2013/14 PSNI seized a total of 49 kilos of cocaine in 1,053 seizure incidents.

“This is an average of 47g per seizure incident. There were only two seizures of 3 kilos or more. Half of all seizures were of just 1g or less. Last night we got 50 kilos.

“We will be working with law enforcement colleagues in various parts of the world to establish where this came from, where it was going to and who was involved.

“It is unlikely that such a substantial amount was destined for the Northern Ireland market but we’ll see where our enquiries lead.”

In an unconnected incident Dutch authorities have seized 20 kilos of cocaine at a port in Holland which was destined for the Fermanagh area of Northern Ireland.

This seizure has been conservatively valued at £1 million.

Detective Superintendent Mullan said: “We are committed to keeping people in Northern Ireland safe.

“”e will follow all lines of enquiry with law enforcement colleagues around the world and with local communities to reduce the threat posed by drugs.”

No arrests were made in either seizure and enquiries are continuing.