Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) have made an arrest and seized a large quantity of suspected drugs following a planned stop and search operation in north Belfast on Wednesday, 1st July.

Detective Inspector Maguire said: “While conducting a proactive policing operation yesterday in the Donegall Quay area in relation to the supply of Class A controlled drugs, officers signalled for a vehicle to stop. It failed to do so, attempting to make off instead, which resulted in a collision with two police vehicles.

“Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries and a subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a large quantity of suspected Class A controlled drugs, which were then seized.

“The driver, a man in his thirties, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class A controlled drug, possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply, providing money or property for the purposes of terrorism, failing to stop for police and driving without due care and attention.

“He remains in police custody at this time.

“Follow-up searches conducted in the Newtownabbey and Mallusk areas resulted in further suspected drugs being seized, along with a number of vehicles, with the total estimated street value of all drugs seized as a result of the searches £225,000.

“These searches and the arrest demonstrate the PCTF’s commitment to tackling the harm caused by illegal drug use and supply in our communities.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and I would encourage anyone with information about the supply or use of illegal drugs to contact police on the 101 number.

“You can also report to police online, via www.psni.police.uk/report or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”