Police say they believe a man who was arrested in relation to a number of drug seizures, with a combined worth of over £1m, is a “significant figure” in an organised criminal gang based in the greater Belfast area.
The 44-year-old man was arrested on Thursday after £75,000 worth of drugs was found in his vehicle in a stop-and-search operation on the Crumlin Road in Belfast.
Detectives also conducted follow-up searches on three properties in east Belfast and Antrim.
He was further arrested by the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit in relation to three previous drug seizures in Belfast and Glengormley which took place over the past ten months.
The combined estimated value of all four drugs seizures comes to a total of £1,050,000.
The first related drugs seizure took place in March 2024, when drugs totalling £500,000 were seized in a search in the Lisburn Road area of Belfast and two men were arrested.
This was followed by a £225,000 seizure in the Donegall Pass area which involved the arrests of two men and a woman in September 2024.
In November 2024, drugs with a value of £250,000 were seized after a vehicle search in Glengormley and a follow-up search on a hotel room in Belfast – two men and a woman were arrested.
“Yesterday’s arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of cannabis by an organised criminal gang based in the greater Belfast area,” a spokesperson said.
“We believe this male is a significant figure within the gang and was involved in the purchase and supply of drugs in bulk quantities to other drug gangs.
“Detectives have been conducting ongoing enquiries to gather evidence to bring this person before the Court for a variety of offences.
“Drug suppliers exploit the vulnerable to prop up their own lifestyle. They have scant regard for those people and are only motivated by money.”
Police say the man is currently being interviewed at Musgrave Police Station in relation to the four seizure incidents and further offences relating to human trafficking and money laundering.