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

A MAN and woman have been charged with possession of cocaine and a number of other drug-related offences.

The couple were charged after a suspected cocaine factory was raided in County Antrim.

Patrick Auld, 33, and 31-year-old Una McClory, with an address at Ballyhenry Avenue, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, faced Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

Auld was remanded in custody while his partner was released on bail to allow her to look after their four-month-old daughter.

On Thursday, police said officers a local Tactical Crime Team seized £300,000 of cash, as well as cocaine valued at £600,000 during searches in Ballyhenry and Dalewood in Newtownabbey on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Three Mercedes cars, an imitation gun, Taser devices and other drugs were also seized as part of the investigation.

The planned searches were part of an intelligence-led operation.

A suspected cocaine press was found by officers, along with amphetamines, steroids and 30 mobile phones.

The court heard drugs were found in an empty house in Dalewood which was rented out in McClory’s name even though she denied all knowledge of the drugs.