Some of the Mercedes cars seized at cocaine factory

DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch have arrested a man and woman over a cocaine factory.

The couple, who are in their 30s, was detained overnight after cops smashed a lucrative coke producing racket in Co Antrim.

Drugs with an estimated street value of £600,000 were seized during the intelligence-led operation.

Around £300,000 in cash was confiscated.

Three top of the range Mercedes cars were also impounded overnight during the operation.

PSNI superintendent Stephen Reid said the raid had been intelligence led.

He said: “This is a very substantial haul in which three luxury cars were seized on the suspicion that they were purchased with the proceeds of crime.

“This is a prime example of PSNI officers keeping people safe.”

Detectives and heavily armed TSG officers raided several properties in the Ballyhenry and Dalewood areas of Newtownabbey last night.

The recovered:

* an imitation firearm;

* 30 mobile phones;

* amphetamines,

* drugs paraphernalia;

* a cocaine press and steroids.

Class A and B drugs along with £300,000 in cash seized in drug bust

The 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of six offences including possession of a class A drugs with intent to supply.

The 31-year-old the woman is being questioned about nine alleged offences including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and possessing criminal property, namely cash and cars.

The PSNI said both suspects were assisting police with their inquiries at the PACE custody suite in Antrim police station.