‘THE Untouchables’ have dealt a major blow to the UDA in west Belfast.

The PSNI say officers from the Paramilitary Crime Taskforce conducted a number of searches in Belfast and Newtownabbey on Thursday in relation to investigations into the activities of the West Belfast UDA. 

A 24 year old man was arrested in the Belfast area today in connection with the investigation on suspicion of possession of class A drugs and possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

He is currently in custody at Musgrave Police Station where he is helping officers with their enquiries. 

Detective Inspector Heather Whoriskey said: “The arrest follows the search of a house in the north Belfast area, on Thursday evening, (14th December) in which suspected cocaine and other drugs paraphernalia were recovered. 

“Further searches were carried out on Thursday at homes and commercial properties across north Belfast and Newtownabbey in relation to the ongoing investigation into the activities of the west Belfast UDA.

“A number of items were seized as a result of these searches, however, no arrests were made. Our enquiries are continuing.”

The PSNI HM Revenue & Customs and the National Crime Agency have established the Paramilitary Crime Taskforce to tackle criminality linked to paramilitarism.