Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force investigating suspected drugs activity linked to the INLA carried out a search of a property in west Belfast today, Thursday, 19 November. 

During today’s search, suspected cocaine with a street value of over £88,000 was seized along with a 4.5kg of suspected mixing agent, drug dealing paraphernalia and a spent bullet casing. 

A 39 year old woman was arrested at the scene.

Detective Inspector Hamilton said: “This search operation conducted in conjunction with colleagues from Operational Support Department, recovered suspected cocaine and mixing agent with a huge potential yield, which undoubtedly would have had far a reaching detrimental impact on the community.  

“It highlights the determination of the PCTF to tackle drug activity linked to paramilitaries and is further evidence of our commitment to keep people safe by removing harmful drugs from our streets.

We will continue to robustly and proactively pursue those drug criminals using paramilitaritrism as a badge of convenience, who are intent on damaging our communities by supplying illegal drugs for their own personal gain.

“These drugs cause nothing but misery and pain, not only to the people who take them but also to their families who deal with the distressing fall out associated with drugs, including debt and intimidation.

“We will continue to listen to members of the community and act on any information they provide.

“I would therefore appeal to anyone who has information about drug dealing to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.

“A report can also be made online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.  You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/“