Big increase in police seizures of cannabis and cocaine
The number of illegal drug seizures and arrests in Northern Ireland is on the rise, with increases in the amount of cocaine and cannabis recovered by police.
A new PSNI report showed that for the latest 12 month period from April 1 2019 to March 31 2020, there were 8,177 drug seizure incidents, an increase of 616 (8.1%) on the previous 12 months.
The total is more than three times the level recorded in 2006/07 (2,590).
Higher levels of seizure incidents were seen across class B and class C drugs, with a slight fall in class A.
Cannabis (class B) was the most commonly seized drug, followed by benzodiazepines (class C) and cocaine (class A).
All but two policing districts showed an increase in drug seizure incidents.
There were 3,819 drug-related arrests, an increase of 501 (15.1%) when compared with the previous 12 months.
Nine policing districts showed an increase in drug related arrests, with Belfast City showing the largest increase.
The figures reveal that of class A drugs, in the 12 month period, there were 1,108 cocaine seizures, 229 of ecstasy, 240 of heroin and 16 of LSD.
The majority of class B drugs incidents involved cannabis, of which there were 5,636 seizures. In class C benzodiazepines were the most common drug, with 1,197 seizures.
Nearly one in three drugs seizures took place in Belfast while Mid & East Antrim policing district saw the largest increase in seizures (42.5%).