Man arrested in Cookstown raid linked to major cocaine seizure in Belfast

The PSNI said they seized suspected cocaine with an estimated street value in excess of a quarter of a million pounds in Belfast.

Detective Inspector Trevor Stevenson explains: “Officers carried out a planned stop of a vehicle on Forthriver Road at around 4.15pm and uncovered a number of packages of white powder. A basic field test indicated the powder was cocaine, a class A drug. At present the seizure is thought to be worth somewhere between £250,000 and £300,000 however further testing will be required.

“A 26 year old man was arrested by officers at the scene and remains in police custody this morning assisting us with our enquiries.

“Further suspected drugs, cutting agents and other items believed to be used in criminal enterprise were found during a number of follow up searches in Belfast and Cookstown.

“A 24 year old man was arrested during the Cookstown search and remains in custody this morning.”

The detective added: “PSNI remains committed to tackling the sale and supply of drugs into Northern Ireland and will continue to carry out intelligence led and proactive operations like this one. Information from communities is vital in this and we would encourage people to continue to raise their suspicions with us and enable us to take action against the organised crime gangs involved in this kind of criminality.”