Two arrested following PSNI drug searches

Two men have been arrested after the discovery of drugs worth £125,000.

The men - aged 30 and 57 - were arrested on Tuesday in the Springfield Road area of Belfast.

The PSNI were conducting searches across Belfast and Antrim.

A police spokesperson said: "The arrests are linked to an investigation whereby a number of drug seizures were made in the past eight months.

"During this time Class B controlled drugs with a potential street value of £2.4 million were seized by officers from UK Border Force, the Metropolitan Police and Leicestershire Police.

"It is believed the men are linked to an organised crime network involved in the importation and distribution of drugs in Northern Ireland, which has links to organised criminals in England and North America."

The PSNI official went on:

"Proceeds of this criminality not only fund this crime network but other local criminal and paramilitary gangs they supply to. The sole motive is cash and the money generated from peddling to vulnerable users funds their criminal lifestyle.

"These seizures and arrests will no doubt have had a significant impact to their criminal enterprise.

"I would ask if anyone has any information about suspected drug dealing in their area to call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111."