Police have made 16 arrests and seized cannabis plants with an estimated street value of approximately £1.1m following a series of searches across Northern Ireland over two days.

A total of nine cannabis factories were uncovered during the PSNI Organised Crime Branch operation in Co Armagh, Co Tyrone and Co Fermanagh on June 23 and 24.

Detective Sergeant Elliott, from the Organised Crime Branch, said: “Nine grow houses were located across a number of towns and villages within Counties Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh – namely Armagh, Newtownhamilton, Keady, Killylea, Coalisland, Aughnacloy, Omagh, and Clabby.

“During the searches, cannabis plants with a collective estimated street value of approximately £1.1 million were seized.

A police image of a "grow house" in Clabby. Photo provided by PSNI

placeholder image — A police image of a "grow house" in Clabby. Photo provided by PSNI

“We have 16 arrests in total. Fourteen men were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected cannabis cultivation and associated criminality, with two further men arrested on suspicion of possessing counterfeit currency.

“Thirteen of those arrested remain in custody at this time, while two have been released on bail and one released unconditionally.”

Significant size

The detective continued: “The majority of the properties were in rural locations, with many of the structures significant in size and sophistication. This would inevitably involve considerable planning, investment, and time – in terms of both establishment and maintenance.”

A cannabis factory at Coalisland was among nine uncovered during the police operation. Photo provided by PSNI

Detective Sergeant Elliott added: “Illegal grow operations, of such complexity, are without doubt generating profits for criminal networks.

“Organised crime groups who exploit others, in this case through the supply of drugs, have one aim only and that’s to line their own pockets. Sadly, this often comes at the expense of vulnerable people.

“The investigation is extremely significant in terms of the number of constructions identified, the subsequent number of arrests and the volume of seizures. By identifying and shutting down the grow houses, and by making arrests, we’re helping to stop criminality in its tracks. Our investigation will, however, continue beyond today’s arrests.

“We, as a police service, will continue to identify and investigate those who make their living from crime, and we remain grateful for your support. I’m keen to take this opportunity to encourage anyone with information, or indeed concerns, to contact us on 101.”

A report can also be made to police online, or alternatively, information can be given, with total anonymity, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The arrests and locations were as follows:

Armagh: 34-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Being Concerned in the Supply of a Class B Drug; Dishonestly Using Electricity; Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug; Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug with Intent to supply, Cultivating Cannabis.
64-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of the following and has since been released on police bail: Being Concerned in the Supply of a Class B Drug; Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug, Cultivating Cannabis, Dishonestly Using Electricity, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply.
Newtownhamilton: 42-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Cultivating Cannabis, Being Concerned in the Supply of a Class B Drug, Dishonestly Using Electricity, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug.
51-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Cultivating Cannabis, Being Concerned in the Supply of a Class B Drug, Dishonestly Using Electricity, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug.
Keady (location 1): 53-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Cultivating Cannabis, Possession of a Class B Drug with Intent to Supply. Keady (location 2): 20-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Being Concerned in the Supply of Class B Controlled Drugs, Cultivating Cannabis, Dishonestly Using Electricity, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug.
23 year-old male arrested on suspicion of Dishonestly Using Electricity, Being Concerned in the Supply of a Class B Drug, Cultivating Cannabis, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply.
Coalisland: 45-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Being Concerned in Production of Class B Controlled Drugs, Cultivating Cannabis, Dishonestly Using Electricity, Being Concerned in Supply of Class B Controlled Drugs, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug, Possession of Class B with Intent to Supply.
Ballygawley: 32-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Being Concerned in the Production of Class B (X3), Conspiracy to Supply Class B Controlled Drug (X3), Conspiracy to Cultivate Class B Controlled Drug (X3).
30-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Being Concerned in an offer to Supply a Class B Drug Conspiracy to Cultivate Cannabis.
Aughnacloy: 21-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Cultivating Cannabis, Dishonestly Using Electricity, Being Concerned in Supply of Class B Controlled Drugs, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug, Possession of Class B with Intent to Supply.
35-year-old male and 41-year-old male both arrested on Suspicion of Possession of Counterfeit Currency. The 35-year-old has been released on bail; the 41-year-old has been released unconditionally.
Omagh: 30-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply, Being Concerned in the Supply of a Class B Drug (X2), Cultivating Cannabis, Dishonestly Using Electricity, Conspiracy to Cultivate Cannabis (X3), Conspiracy to Supply a Class B Controlled Drug (X2), Being Concerned in the Production of Class B Controlled Drug (X3).
Clabby: 38-year-old male arrested on suspicion of Being Concerned in Production of Class B Controlled Drugs, Cultivating Cannabis, Dishonestly Using Electricity, Being Concerned in Supply of Class B Controlled Drugs, Possession of a Class B Controlled Drug, Possession of Class B with Intent to Supply drug.
Manchester: 43-year-old male has been arrested in Manchester under Section 137A of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 for being involved in a specified offence.