Six charged with drugs offences following operation targeting East Belfast UVF

Q newsdesk

6 people have been charged with Class A drugs offences following an operation targeting the East Belfast UVF.

Searches were carried out in the Belfast, Ards, and Newtownabbey areas yesterday.

The suspects - 5 men and 1 woman - will appear in court next month.
 

CHARGED - PSNI: 6 people arrested following searches today in east and north Belfast, Ards and Newtownabbey by Officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force supported by local police have been charged as follows ... pic.twitter.com/9hyOAydzxp

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) 29 March 2019

A PSNI spokesperson said:

"Two men aged 32 and 40 have been charged with being concerned in the supply of a class A controlled drug and possession of a class A controlled drug."

"Two men, both aged 24 have been charged with being concerned in the supply of a Class A controlled drug and possession of a class B controlled drug."

"One woman aged 46 and a 37 year old man have been charged with being concerned in the supply of a class A controlled drug."

"All are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 18 April."

"As is normal procedure all charges will be reviewed by the PPS."

Chief Superintendent Jonathan Roberts said,

“There are five key priority groups for the PCTF and they comprise those who pose the greatest risk, harm and threat to our communities. Today’s (Fri) operation was developed to tackle the criminality of paramilitaries, specifically the East Belfast UVF in this case."

“The East Belfast UVF have been a priority for the PCTF since its inception due to the breadth and scale of their involvement in serious crime, including the supply of drugs and the violence and coercion that goes hand in hand with this. As with all of the key groups under investigation by the PCTF, they exist for the sole purpose of exploiting and controlling their own communities."

“Criminals that involve themselves in illegal drugs cause serious harm and misery in the community and can expect to be the subject of police investigation. They can expect to be arrested and every effort to be made to put them before the court."

“This type of police activity will continue. Today’s (Fri) actions are evidence that Police will deal with illegal drugs and criminality."