£500,000 worth of cannabis seized following searches across NI
Five arrests have been made
£500,000 worth of cannabis has been seized by police following searches across Northern Ireland.
Cannabis cultivations were found at addresses in Templepatrick, Coleraine, Tandragee, and Lurgan yesterday.
A property in Newry was also searched.
Five men have been arrested and four vehicles have been seized.
Police say the searches took place as part of a "co-ordinated day of action, targeting organised criminal gangs."
Detective Inspector Kelly said “We have located and dismantled four cannabis cultivations within properties in Templepatrick, Coleraine, Tandragee and Lurgan. Each location was expertly set up containing rooms full of plants at various stages of growth.”
“Clearly there was a conveyor belt supply of drugs being produced, with regular harvests across the properties, which would likely be sold on to other criminal gangs. The drugs recovered have a potential street value of approximately £500,000.”
“A fifth property in Newry was searched and the occupant located and arrested by Roads Policing officers in Portadown this morning. Four vehicles have also been seized by detectives.”
“Organised crime gangs fund their criminality and lifestyle at the expense of others. Damage is caused to properties. Vulnerable people caught up in drug misuse suffer and it creates a pressure on families and the health service.
“I’m grateful to local people and communities for their continued support, and I’m keen to reiterate and appeal for anyone with information on this incident or drug supply in general to contact us on 101.”