Rural drug raids net £1.1m of cannabis as 16 arrested
A series of drug raids across three counties in Northern Ireland have seen police scoop cannabis worth around £1.1m on the streets.
Sixteen people have been arrested in connection with the busts, 15 of them in Ulster and one in England.
The PSNI raided nine cannabis factories over the space of the last two days, taking down operations in Co Armagh, Co Tyrone and Co Fermanagh.
What one officer termed ‘grow houses’ were found in several towns and villages across the three counties – namely Armagh, Newtownhamilton, Keady, Killylea, Coalisland, Aughnacloy, Omagh and Clabby.
Of the 16 men arrested in total, 14 were apprehended on suspicion of drug-related offences, while the other two were lifted on suspicion of possessing counterfeit currency.
One of the men has been released unconditionally, while two more have been bailed and, as of shortly before 3pm on Wednesday afternoon. the remaining 13 are still in custody.
The raids took place yesterday and today, most of them in countryside locations.
According to Detective Sergeant Elliott from the PSNI’s organised crime branch, many of the cannabis farms were “significant in size and sophistication”.
He said: “This would inevitably involve considerable planning, investment and time, in terms of both establishment and maintenance.”
Added the officer: “Illegal grow operations of such complexity are without doubt generating profits for criminal networks.
“Organised crime groups who exploit others, in this case through the supply of drugs, have one aim only and that’s to line their own pockets. Sadly, this often comes at the expense of vulnerable people.
“The investigation is extremely significant in terms of the number of constructions identified, the subsequent number of arrests and the volume of seizures. By identifying and shutting down the grow houses and making arrests, we’re helping to stop criminality in its tracks. Our investigation will, however, continue beyond today’s arrests.
“We will continue to identify and investigate those who make their living from crime, and we remain grateful for your support. I’m keen to take this opportunity to encourage anyone with information, or indeed concerns, to contact us on [non-emergency number] 101.”
Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org