Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) have charged two people to court following planned searches in the north Belfast area.

The searches were conducted on Tuesday, 10th March at three properties as part of an ongoing investigation into criminality linked to the west Belfast UDA.

A 36-year-old woman and 39-year-old man have both been charged with drug-related offences, including possession of a Class A controlled drug and possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class B controlled Drug, and possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply.

Other charges include possessing criminal property, concealing criminal property, evading good excise duty and vat, and entering into an arrangement to acquire criminal property.

Both are due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court this morning, Wednesday 11th March.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Meanwhile, a 34-year-old man also arrested in connection with the investigation, has been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries.