Drugs raids in Downpatrick

Drugs raids in Downpatrick

SUSPECTED drugs were seized during a police raid in the Church View and Mount Crescent areas of Downpatrick on Monday.

Among the items taken were suspected cannabis resin, herbal cannabis, white tablets and mobile telephones. No arrests have yet been made.

A second raid was carried out in the Killough Road area on the outskirts of the town but nothing was seized.

The searches were carried out by members of PSNI crime teams, local neighbourhood policing teams and dog handlers as part of Operation Torus — a new initiative to tackle street-level drug dealing across Northern Ireland.

Operation Torus, which runs until October, aims to disrupt and arrest drug dealers who are involved in the sale and supply of drugs and encourage people to report information to the police.

Since operational activity began on August 20, police in C District, which incorporates Down, North Down, Ards and Castlereagh, have conducted 86 searches, arrested 39 people, seized drugs with a potential value of £7,000 and £1,000 in cash.

C District police commander, Chief Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw, said he knew the issue of drugs was of concern to the local community.

“I want to reassure you that police take this issue very seriously,” he said. “We want to build upon the hard work of Operation Torus and we will continue to work with community groups, political representatives, churches and schools to educate young people and to raise awareness around the dangers associated with drug taking and the impact drugs can have not only on your health but on your whole life.

“The more co-operation we can get from our community the better equipped we are to disrupt the activities of drug dealing criminals who are involved in the sale and supply of drugs and bring these individuals before the courts.

“Our message today is clear and simple: if you see or know of anyone who is dealing drugs in your local area, then contact your local police on 0845 600 8000 or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111 and pass on any details that you may have.”