Nine men charged following raids targeting East Belfast UVF

Q Newsdesk

9 men have been charged with a range of offences following police raids targeting the East Belfast UVF.

In total 11 people were arrested yesterday after searches were carried out across the Greater Belfast, Ards, and Comber areas.

Four of the men are due before Belfast Magistrates later, while the rest will appear next month.

Two men aged 32 and 40 have been released.

A PSNI spokesperson said:

Four men aged 22, 27, 29 and 38, who were arrested during a search by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force yesterday (Friday 22 March) in the Greater Belfast and Ards areas have been charged with a offences, including being concerned in the supply of a Class A controlled drug. All four men are due to appear at  Belfast Magistrates' Court this morning (Saturday 23rd March). 

Four other men arrested yesterday, aged 32, 47 and two both aged 48, have also been charged with being concerned in the supply of a Class A controlled drug and are due to appear at  Belfast Magistrates' Court on 18th April. 

A 34-year-old man arrested yesterday has been charged with unlawfully obtaining of/disclosure of personal data to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on 18th April.  

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

A 32-year-old man arrested yesterday on suspicion of possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply has been released on bail pending further enquiries. 

A 40-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class B controlled drug, intimidation and improper use of electronic communications has been released to be reported to the Public Prosecution Service.

(14 searches in the Greater Belfast, Ards and Comber areas)

Yesterday Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton  said:

East Belfast UVF have been a priority for the PCTF since its inception owing to the breadth and scale of criminality and the violence against and coercion of the community that goes hand in hand with it. Paramilitaries claim to protect local people but in reality they exploit them by supplying illegal drugs and using violence to try and control their markets.

East Belfast UVF are nothing more than a drugs gang who operate under a flag of convenience in an attempt to legitimise their existence.

Working with our partners and communities we are determined to rid our communities of these parasites.