PSNI arrest suspect in UVF drugs raid and welcome sentencing of man with ammunition

The PSNI has today arrested a suspect during a UVF drugs raid - and welcomed the sentencing of a man for possession of 529 rounds of ammunition. 
By Philip Bradfield
Published 11th Nov 2020, 19:52 BST
Updated 11th Nov 2020, 20:02 BST

Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force investigating suspected drugs and criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF arrested a 24-year-old man today following a search in Newtownards.Detective Inspector Hamilton said: “A quantity of suspected Class A & B controlled drugs, two mobile phones, £3500 in cash and other drug dealing paraphernalia was seized from a property during the proactive policing operation.

“The man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A controlled drug, concerned in supply of Class B drug, possession of a Class A controlled drug, possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class B controlled drug and possession of criminal property. He is assisting police with their enquiries.

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“This operation targeting the criminal activities of the East Belfast UVF is further evidence of our continuing commitment to tackling the harm caused by paramilitaries supplying drugs in our communities. They style themselves as defenders of those communities, however they are criminals who prey on the most vulnerable members of society for their own personal gain.

“We will continue to listen to the community and act on any information they provide, so I would ask anyone with any information regarding criminal activity to contact police on 101 or alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

Also today, Detectives from the PSNI Terrorism Investigation Unit (TIU) welcomed the sentencing of a man in relation to the recovery of ammunition and Imitation Firearms in west Belfast in June 2017.

Thirty three year-old John Murphy was sentenced to 3.5 years’ imprisonment to spend 21 months in custody and 21 months on Statutory Supervision for Possession of firearm(s) or ammunition in suspicious circumstances.  He was also sentenced to 3 years imprisonment - 18 months in custody and 18 months on Statutory Supervision, to run concurrently, for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and 18 months imprisonment. He will serve nine months in custody and nine months on Statutory Supervision, to run concurrently, for possessing ammunition without certificate.

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Detective Constable Hanson from the PSNI Terrorism Investigation Unit said: “We recognise the fear incidents involving ammunition and firearms can have and welcome the sentence handed down at Armagh Crown Court today, Wednesday 11th November.

“The ammunition which John Murphy possessed -529 live rounds of assorted ammunition- could have been used to cause serious harm and I welcome today’s conviction.

“We are pleased that this individual has been successfully prosecuted and now faces time behind bars.  We are also thankful that this ammunition has been removed from our streets.  Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Terrorism Unit remain committed to tackling issues of serious crime in our community and I would encourage anyone with information that could assist in our efforts to contact us on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.”

He added that the public can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

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