Suspected cannabis worth £510,000 seized by PSNI in Larne

Detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit have seized suspected cannabis with an estimated street value of £510,000 and arrested a man in Larne yesterday (Tuesday).
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Mar 2021, 17:21 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Detective Superintendent Zoe McKee said: “Detectives, working alongside colleagues from Border Force, HMRC, Roads and District Policing colleagues stopped a lorry at Larne Harbour at around 7.10pm. A large quantity of suspected cannabis was seized from the vehicle during the proactive policing operation.

“A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraudulently importing Class B controlled drugs, possession of a Class B controlled drug, possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply, importation of an offensive weapon and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. He remains in police custody at this time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The nature of serious and organised crime, in this case, the illegal trafficking of drugs for profit, is a very concerning and deeply impactive issue. Within PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit, we are pleased to work with partners in thwarting the activities of criminals.

Some of the suspected cannabis seized by detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit, with an estimated street value of £510,000.Some of the suspected cannabis seized by detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit, with an estimated street value of £510,000.
Some of the suspected cannabis seized by detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit, with an estimated street value of £510,000.

“The harm caused by illegal drugs cannot be underestimated and neither should our resolve to continue to make Northern Ireland a hostile environment for those involved in drug dealing within our communities. These criminal elements often operate as part of a wider organised crime group (OCG) and prey on the most vulnerable in order to benefit themselves.”

Detective Superintendent McKee added: “We work better together and as part of a collective effort to monitor and target criminals who seek to exploit the common travel area, members of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), have demonstrated their commitment to disrupting those who seek to cause harm through the illegal importation and supply of drugs in Northern Ireland.

“I would appeal to anyone with information about illegal drug use or supply, to call police on the non-emergency number 101.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

“The independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/”

----

Click here to read East Antrim residents urged to be vigilant after cold callers target homes

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers. Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.