Shock as drugs found by teen in Cookstown shop

The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, brought the clear plastic bag containing an unknown substance to the Mid-Ulster Mail office after his young daughter, (13) brought it home.

“My daughter was with 3 or 4 of her friends when they came across the packet in a shop. Some of her friends are slightly older than her so they knew what it was. This isn’t the first time this has happened, drugs have been found before by youngsters in the local area, about a year and a half ago, yet nothing has been done to combat this problem,” he said.

The concerned parent expressed his frustration with the PSNI saying that he has “no faith” in them.

“I have no faith in the police in the local area or their ability to combat the growing drugs problem. There is so much drug related crime going on in this area and the police are doing nothing about it,” he said.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “It was reported to Police that a bag of powder was handed into premises in the Oldtown Road area of Cookstown on January 5th. It was reported that the bag had previously been found at premises in the Morgan’s Hill Road area on January 2nd. Police enquiries are continuing.

“It should be noted that the holding onto drugs constitutes an offence of possession. If drugs, either actual or suspected, come into someone’s possession then they must be given to Police immediately.”

UUP Councillor for Cookstown, Trevor Wilson appealed for anyone with any information to contact the PSNI,