Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF), who, together with officers from the PSNI’s Auto Crime Team, stopped a vehicle during a search operation on Upper Hightown Road, Belfast, yesterday (Friday 1st April), have charged a 23-year-old man.

The man has been charged with possession of a Class A controlled drug, possession of a Class B controlled drug, possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply, and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, Saturday, April 2, for a first remand hearing.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

During the operation, which was part of an investigation into the activities of East Belfast UVF, police say officers recovered a large quantity of Class B cannabis and a small amount of Class A cocaine with a total street value of £75,000.