Police probe after list of alleged drug dealers circulated

By Maria McCann

The PSNI is carrying out inquiries after a list of people's names who are alleged to be drug dealers was released in north Belfast.

Almost 50 people listed on the page have been threatened and told they 'MUST bring themselves forward'

It does not say who they have to answer to and what will happen however the document has been headed 'Communities Against Drugs'.

It follows a meeting in the Ardoyne Community Centre on Tuesday night.

It was organised for residents and families to highlight their concerns about the scourge of drugs on the community.

Chief Inspector Stephen Burns said, “Police did not attend the meeting yesterday evening. However, we are aware that some written material has been distributed in parts of North Belfast and we are currently carrying out enquiries into this matter.

"While we do not discuss allegations against individuals, circulating material such as this is intensely unhelpful and potentially dangerous.

"I do however want to reassure the public that police are actively working with communities to address criminality and issues like drug dealing across all parts of Northern Ireland.

"If anyone has concerns or information about any form of criminality, they should report it to police on the non-emergency number 101 so that we can respond appropriately. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Organisers of the anti drug dealing community awareness event on Tuesday night say the document was not created by the group.

In a statement on social media the Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective raised questions about the document.

"In the immediate aftermath of this meeting, leaflets were distributed across North Belfast, initially in the New Lodge. They claimed to be from a group called "Communities Against Drugs" and named people who should "come forward" without saying who to, where to or how this could be facilitated.

"It doesn't state the purpose of coming forward, whether that is to stop, get punished or pay up.

"While this leaflet may have coincidentally went out on the same evening as a well-publicised open and transparent meeting, or be the result of frustration regarding ongoing death dealing, it is our opinion that it was intended to cause confusion within the local community and attempt to dictate the pace of a viable, community response that will be public, structured and organised.

"GARC, and those who last night committed themselves to establishing a project that will empower and campaign on behalf of residents, played no part in this leaflet.

"Any future activity that results from this planned project will challenge death dealers and those who tax them openly, publicly, radically and in a structured way that gives residents actual ownership of those activities."

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called for threats against almost 50 people in north Belfast to be lifted immediately.
 
"A list containing threats against almost 50 people, made by some unnamed organisation, has been circulating in the public arena in northern Belfast.
 
"Many people whose names appear on the list have been visited by the PSNI to make them aware of the threats.
 
"I condemn the fact that threats have been issued against these people.
 
"I have been contacted by mental health professionals who have made me aware that quite a number of those who have received these deplorable threats are vulnerable individuals.
 
"No one should be subject to these kind of threats in this day and age.
 
"These threats should be lifted immediately and those responsible need to stop these actions."