VIDEO: Inside PSNI op targeting 'Belfast drug dealer'
Downtown/Cool FM news joined the PSNI on an operation targeting a suspected drug dealer in Belfast.
Last updated 23rd Oct 2018
Working as part of a wider initiative, officers targeted an address in the north of the city.
The operation was run in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Department of Justice and is part of a worldwide effort to tackle the sale of illicit medicines and drugs online.
It comes after recent seizures that saw 25,000 Zopiclone sleeping tablets recovered, along with 30,000 Xanax and other forms of benzodiazepines.
One of Northern Ireland's Coroners, Joe McCrisken, said the drugs have the potential to be deadly.
"As coroner I see deaths occurring on a weekly, if not a daily basis, due to these drugs and other illicit and prescription drugs," he said.
"Zopiclone, Xanax, diazepam and others, tens of thousands of these have been taken out of circulation by the police here."
DCI David Henderson from the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit oversaw the operation, including the use of police dog Jazz to search through mail for potentially illegal drugs.
"We get a lot of success with drugs coming through the post," he said.
"It's a phenomenon that has started a lot more now since people started buying drugs through the internet, cocaine, cannabis, heroin and all kinds of prescription drugs."
After that stop, heavily armed Tactical Support officers travelled in several armoured Land Rovers to a property in North Belfast.
The door was then broken down and searches conducted in the area, with another police sniffer dog also called to the scene.
"The operation has been successful," he said.
"We gained entry to the house, secured the occupants and there is evidence of drugs misuse in the house.
"There were needles lying on the floor and there were prescription drugs lying about as well."
Investigations as part of the operation continue.