800 citydrugsconvictionsin five years

The number of convictions has risen substantially between 2010 and 2014.

There were 857 convictions in total but this annual figure rose from 132 in 2010 to 229 in 2014.

The Justice Minister David Ford said: “Drugs offences may be prosecuted under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Medicines Act 1968, the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

“Information has been provided by the Court Division in which cases were dealt with for the period 2010 – 2014, the most recent five year period available.”