Officers from the Police Service’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force have charged a 38-year-old man with a number of offences linked to east Belfast UVF.

The charges include possession of a Class A controlled drug and possession of Class A controlled drug with intent to supply.

He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, Wednesday, October 13, for a first remand hearing.

As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

The charges are in connection with a search carried out on Tuesday (12 October) as part of an investigation into drugs criminality linked to East Belfast UVF.

During the search a quantity of suspected cocaine and cannabis, with a combined estimated street value of £25,000, was recovered, along with cash and paraphernalia associated with the supply of drugs.