Man Arrested Over Suspected Herbal Cannabis Find

A man, aged 23, has been arrested after police and customs officers seized suspected herbal cannabis worth an estimated value of over £1 million in Larne.

The find was made after officers stopped a lorry in the Larne Harbour.

The lorry and its trailer have been seized for further examination.

The man in the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply.

Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney said: “This search, seizure and arrest was conducted as part of the multi-agency approach to target criminality within the haulage industry and our ongoing commitment to address the criminality linked to drug importation, supply and use that often results in drug debts, drug addiction and drug related deaths within our communities.

"In this year to date, we have seized over one metric tonne of herbal cannabis being brought into Northern Ireland by such method. This represents a street value of over £15 million.

"For anyone who thinks the illegal distribution of cannabis is not a big deal, just imagine for a second the damage an organised crime group could and would cause with £15 million worth of resources at their disposal.

"I have no doubt this was destined for the streets of Northern Ireland on the run up to Christmas with the potential for unimaginable harm and the funding of wider criminality.

“Through Operation DEALBREAKER and the multi-agency efforts of the Organised Crime Task Force,  we will continue to carry out operations, to break the cycle of those who seek to cause harm through the illegal importation and supply of drugs in Northern Ireland, and to dismantle the organised criminals who profit from this incredibly harmful activity."