£1.46m Drugs Seized Across NI

£1.46 million of drugs have been seized by police to tackle drug dealing across Northern Ireland.

The Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership's 'Drug Dealers Don't Care, Do You?' media campaign was launched in Belfast on 9 February but also ran in other PCSP areas.

Assistant Chief Constable for Crime Operations, Will Kerr, said: "Along with our partners, we’ve invested a considerable amount of time and effort into this campaign and it has delivered worthwhile outcomes. The principal drug seized was herbal cannabis worth £1.17 million. We also seized £44,000 in cash which we believe is linked to drugs.

"We arrested 357 suspects, charged 78 of them, reported 163 and released 55 on police bail. Although this operation has concluded, drugs will remain a policing priority. We will continue to disrupt and arrest those involved in the sale and supply of drugs, bring individuals before the courts and work with communities and partner agencies to reduce the threat of harmful and illegal activity.

"We would continue to ask communities to provide us with information about illegal drugs. If you tell us, we will act on it."

Justice Minister David Ford said: "Those who deal in drugs are a scourge on our society. I commend the PSNI for their continuing work to remove drugs from our streets and bring perpetrators to justice.

"In this campaign the PSNI have been supported by local Policing and Community Safety Partnerships and Crimestoppers. I welcome the significant outcomes achieved through this collaborative approach. However, there is no room for complacency, as the impact of illicit drug use on individuals, families and communities can be devastating."

(CD)