Drug dealer arrests double

According to a local Ulster Unionist party delegation, the PSNI’s focus on drug dealers has led to the doubling of arrests.

UUP MLA Jo-Anne Dobson MLA and Councillor Glenn Barr welcomed the continued action being taken by the PSNI against drug dealers.

And she welcomed news that work is due to begin soon on refurbishing the custody suite at Lurgan police station.

At a recent meeting with PSNI District Commander Superintendent David Moore he revealed the PSNI has doubled the number of drug dealers arrested this year.

Mrs Dobson said: “I am heartened to hear that ongoing operations being conducted by the police have been achieving results and especially in the field of removing illegal drugs and those who engage in its trade from our streets.”

The local politicians were viewing the new upgraded custody facilities at Banbridge PSNI station which became fully operational recently.

Mrs Dobson continued: “Banbridge station has benefited from a significant investment of £800,000 for these new state of the art facilities with Lurgan station in line to receive similar upgrades soon. I welcome this level of investment into Banbridge station and also the fact that their usage is increasing when it comes to detaining those involved in the illegal drugs trade.

“During our meeting with Supt Moore we discussed a wide range of local policing issues including domestic violence rates and speeding as well as response times and a number of confidential cases.”

Cllr Barr said: “I welcome the successes which the police have been having against drug dealers and commend those Officers involved in those successes.

“Like so many in the community I want to see those who offer our community nothing but death taken off our streets for good.

“I would like to thank Superintendent Moore for his ongoing engagement with Jo-Anne and myself as we continue to relay concerns and queries which we receive from local people in our roles as local political representatives.”