Praise for heroin arrests in Portadown

Seven men and a woman were arrested as part of the operation.

DUP Councillor Carla Lockhart issued a statement commending the PSNI actions.

“Drugs are a scourge on our society,” she said.

“I would commend the PSNI on this major operation. The supply and demand for drugs locally is all too prevalent and must be stamped out before it wrecks more lives and particularly the lives of our young people.

“Often our PSNI are criticised well today they must be commended.

“This is months of information gathering and I would commend all those members of the public who have shared information with the PSNI.

“Together we must take a serious approach to eradicating drugs from our society. Today’s find will certainly go some way to restoring confidence and renewing people’s desire to see drug dealers face the full rights of the law.

“Upper Bann does not need or want this type of activity and I will be continuing to work with the PSNI to information share on such issues.”

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Commander Superintendent Davy Moore has praised the partnership work which led to the arrest of eight people this morning during a pro-active policing operation against the supply of heroin in the Greater Portadown area.

He said: “Today’s operation is the culmination of a complex and protracted investigation into the supply of illegal drugs across Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area involving local officers, TSG and our colleagues from Reactive and Organised Crime Branch. Working together to address the supply of heroin we have conducted six searches and arrested eight people.

“This operation illustrates our commitment to work with the community across this District to address the scourge of drugs and the havoc it wreaks. We will continue to play our part and would encourage anyone who has information about the supply and use of illegal drugs to contact us on 101.”