Detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit, working in collaboration with the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, as part of the Joint Agency Task Force, have today, seized suspected drugs with an estimated street value of £6.5 million.
Following a search of a premises in the Mallusk area of Newtownabbey on the morning of Monday, March 3, detectives located and seized suspected cannabis, cocaine and ketamine concealed within food packaging.
A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B controlled drugs.
Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney said: “We believe the drugs on this seizure were intended to supply various markets across the UK.
“The Joint Agency Task Force was established with the aim of bringing a concerted and enhanced effort to tackle cross-jurisdictional organised crime.
“All partners within the Task Force are totally committed to working together to reduce the misery caused by drug smuggling and to dismantle the organised groups profiting from this type of criminality.
“It is not difficult to imagine the harm that would have been caused by this volume of drugs being dealt on street corners within our communities to vulnerable people, children and those with addictions issues.
“Nor is it difficult to imagine the mayhem that the organised criminals behind this would have wreaked with the millions of pounds of profit they potentially stood to make.
“I am delighted the drugs have been removed from circulation and that this income stream has been denied to the criminal network.
“However, we recognise there is still much work to be done to tackle such serious and organised criminality. We rely on the help of the community to do so and would appeal to anyone with information or concerns to contact us on 101.”
A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport
Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
