As part of an ongoing operation into suspected drugs criminality linked to East Belfast UVF, officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) searched a number of properties in the east Belfast area today, Wednesday, 28 April.
During the searches, police seized suspected Cocaine, Cannabis, drug dealing paraphernalia and a quantity of cash.
A 24 year old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of drugs offences.
Detective Inspector Hamilton said: “Today’s search operation was the latest in our proactive investigation into suspected drugs criminality linked to East Belfast UVF. The seizure of Cannabis and Cocaine today exposes the hypocrisy of Drug criminals, who hide behind the badge of paramilitaries. On the one hand they sell drugs to vulnerable people to line their own pockets and on the other they are shooting and beating those they believe are involved in the supply of drugs leaving nothing but a trail of misery in their wake. We will continue to proactively and robustly pursue these drug criminals and bring them before the courts.
“We will listen to the community and act on information they provide, so I would encourage members of the public with information regarding drug dealing to call 101, or you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ .
“The independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that will assist the investigation to contact us on the non-emergency number 101. Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.