Four Arrested Over Suspected Criminality Linked To East Belfast UVF

Four people have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected drugs criminality linked to East Belfast UVF.

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF), assisted by officers from Operational Support Department, made the arrests.

Three males, aged 33, 35 and 41 and a 31 year old female were arrested on suspicion of a number of drugs offences and remain in custody at this time. A number of searches were also conducted at addresses in east Belfast and Lisburn as part of the operation. A quantity of suspected Class A Controlled drugs, a quantity of suspected herbal cannabis, a quantity of suspected Class C controlled drugs, drugs paraphernalia, cash and mobile phones were seized during the searches.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly said: "The search and arrest operation is the latest in our proactive investigation into suspected drugs criminality linked to East Belfast UVF. We will continue to work to expose the hypocrisy of these drug criminals, who hide behind the badge of paramilitaries. On the one hand they sell drugs to vulnerable people to line their own pockets and on the other they are shooting and beating those they believe are involved in the supply of drugs leaving nothing but a trail of misery in their wake. They remain a priority for the PCTF due to the Human Rights abuses they carry out against their local community.

"Police, working with our partners and communities, are committed to tackling the scourge of this type of organised criminality. We will continue to proactively and robustly pursue these drug criminals and bring them before the courts."