As a result of a joint operation involving An Garda Síochána, Police Service of Northern Ireland and Revenue Customs Service, PSNI officers have seized what they believe could be one of Northern Ireland’s largest ever hauls of herbal cannabis.
The cannabis was intercepted and five people arrested by PSNI officers during a search of a property Dromore, County Down earlier today.
Speaking this evening An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Barry O’Brien said: "I wish to commend all agencies involved in both jurisdictions which resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of controlled drugs. This demonstrates the practical application of the Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force.”
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said: "This huge haul of cannabis was found concealed inside an industrial sized fuel tank on a shipping pallet at a property in Dromore, County Down earlier today. Five individuals, three men and two women were detained at the address. Officers also carried out a number of follow up searches and enquiries at other locations.
This seizure and the associated searches and arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of the real time intelligence sharing and cross-border collaboration that takes place daily to tackle serious and organised criminality in both jurisdictions. With the assistance of our colleagues in An Garda Síochána and Revenue Commissioners we have undoubtedly prevented the significant harm that would have resulted from this huge consignment of drugs reaching the streets of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland today.”
Notice of Media Briefing -
WHEN : Saturday 31st March 2018 at 1pm
WHERE : Knocknagoney PSNI, Knocknagoney Road, Belfast BT4 2PW.
WHO: PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin and An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Barry O’Brien.
Notes to Editor –
The potential estimated street value of the drugs is currently being assessed and will be made available in due course.
The cross jurisdictional Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) was established under the Fresh Start Agreement.
The Task Force comprises the Police Service of Northern Ireland, An Garda Síochána, HM Revenue & Customs, the Revenue Commissioners, The Home Office Immigration Enforcement, the Criminal Assets Bureau, and the National Crime Agency.
The JATF sees cross border cooperation across a range of policing areas and is of significant benefit to keeping our communities safe and secure, as well as continuing joint activity on issues which affect our communities such as rural policing and intelligence sharing.
