More than 8 million euros in drugs, some hidden in a horse box roof, seized by PSNI detectives in October.

PSNI DETECTIVES have indicted seven people and seized drugs worth roughly £ 8 million (about € 8.85 million) since October 1.

The various major seizures, consisting of Class A cocaine, cannabis and prescription drugs, were removed during five separate operations involving the PSNI Crimes Unit, the UK National Crime Agency and the Border Force.

Detective Chief Superintendent John McVea, Chief of the Criminal Investigations Section of the Police Service, said: “Over the weekend, we recalled Class A cocaine worth £ 6 million which I believe was destined for Northern Ireland.

Working with our law enforcement partners at the National Crime Agency and the Border Force, we stopped a truck at the Port of Holyhead in Wales, where cocaine was found hidden inside refrigerated goods. This seizure is one of the largest in recent times and would have caused significant harm to the people living in our communities.

“The NCA charged a 51-year-old man with exporting Class A drugs and appeared in court today in Wales.”

Last Thursday, in a separate operation, the PSNI discovered and dismantled a drug factory in the Cookstown area where detectives seized approximately £ 600,000 of alleged cocaine; £ 4,000 of suspected cannabis, £ 10,000 in cash and a high-value car.

“I think he was linked to an organized crime gang, which operates on an international scale. Three men were charged with various drug-related offenses and possession of criminal property and have appeared in court, ”McVea said.

Approximately £ 1 million of suspected cannabis, which had been strapped to the roof of a large horse box-type vehicle, was recovered after the truck dumped its load on the M1 motorway on Saturday 3 October.

A man was charged and appeared in court charged with possession of Class B drugs and intent to supply.

“Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force have also charged two men with drug-related offenses following the seizure of £ 90,000 worth of suspected cannabis in December 2019.”

McVea continued: “Drugs cause nothing but misery and pain in our communities and that is why removing these dangerous substances from our streets is a key priority for the Northern Ireland Police Service and our partner agencies.

We have already had significant successes in October and we will continue in our tireless quest to remove not only these dangerous drugs from society, but also those involved in the supply.

“People who bring drugs into our communities do not care about the pain and misery they cause, they only care about the significant gains they can make.”

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