Detectives want public help as £1m drug stash falls off on motorway

The PSNI said that the estiamated value of the haul is around £1m.

It appearently fell off a large horsebox-type vehicle, where it had been strapped to the roof.

It was found in the vicinity of Blacks Road junction, Belfast, at around 6:50am.

Detective Inspector Aubrey Shaw said: “This is a significant amount of drugs, which have been taken out of circulation. This will have a huge impact on the organised criminals involved in its importation, depriving them of commodity and, most importantly, profit.

“We are continuing with our enquiries, and I want to make a number of appeals about the vehicle involved, its movements and its whereabouts. At this time, the lorry has not been located.

“Were you on the M1, westbound in the Blacks Road junction area between 6:30am and 7am? Do you remember seeing the lorry? Did you witness the incident, or do you have dash cam footage of what occurred, of the vehicle and its movements? Do you know where this vehicle is now?

“I would take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who has any information which they believe may assist our investigation to call us on 101 and quote reference number 361 of 03/10/20 or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/”

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Detective Inspector Shaw added: “If you have information about the manufacture, sale or supply of illegal drugs please get in touch with us by calling 101 or call Crimestoppers. Your actions could make a difference.”

READ MORE STORIES FROM THIS REPORTER:

CLICK HERE: IN GRAPHS – Northern Ireland is almost 1C warmer than when records began – and experts predict even sharper changes by 2100

CLICK HERE: Publicly funded NI groups spring to defence of vitriolic anti-police transgender activist

CLICK HERE: PSNI warned not to over-step powers on domestic abuse after force indicates ‘giving someone the silent treatment’ is a criminal offence

CLICK HERE: Same-sex marriage: Presbyterians say law to defend Christians’ human rights may be needed

CLICK HERE: Plea for Foster and O’Neill to speak up for Hong Kong in the face of Chinese clampdown

CLICK HERE: Secret documents show top Protestant churchman believed Rev Ian Paisley was a ‘fascist’ provocateur

CLICK HERE: John Hume: IRA were ‘medieval savages weeping crocodile tears’ as they bombed tens of thousands out of work

CLICK HERE: John Hume: Loyalist terror boss ‘consulted with Hume twice while drafting UDA political strategy’

CLICK HERE: John Hume: ‘Dear Gerry Adams, the IRA’s strategy risks turning Province into Lebanon’

CLICK HERE: Confidential document reveals top Troubles solicitor said Gerry Adams had ‘firm grip’ on the IRA

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor