Condemnation as suspect cannabis is seized in Banbridge

In a statement the PSNI said: “Police in Banbridge have seized a quantity of suspected Class A and B drugs following the search of a house in Leamount Park on Friday night, November 15.

“A 20 year old male will be interviewed later in the week in relation to the seizure”.

The Leader contacted the PSNI to confirm quantities, but the information was still not available at the time of going to press.

Welcoming the police action, UUP councillor Glenn Barr said: “I’m well chuffed to hear this news. I’ve repeatedly called for the PSNI to take a zero tolerance attitude to drugs and crime in the area and develop a more robust attitude.

“While Banbridge may not have a drugs epidemic on the same scale as places like Belfast or Ballymena, nonetheless the presence of any drugs is a problem that needs to be dealt with.

“A while ago I had declared very little confidence in the PSNI, but since then they have changed their attitude and have been seen to be taking action to tackle the problems, based on information that is coming through to them.”

DUP councillor Jim McElroy also spoke out, taking a hard line against all those involved in this sort of activity.

“I welcome this move and have the strongest condemnation for all those involved in both the manufacture and sale of these drugs to our young people and indeed anyone in the Banbridge district.”

This action comes just months after an underground cannabis factory in the Ballyward area was uncovered in May, following a six-month PSNI surveillance operation.

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, makes it hard to keep track of time and concentrate. People who use it have difficulty with memory recall.

It raises heart rate and blood pressure . The drug can also make some people paranoid or cause hallucinations.

Enquiries into Friday’s operation are still on going.