Cash and drugs seized during Belfast searches targeting organised crime

Five people have been arrested and around £125,000 in cash has been seized during searches targeting organised crime in the Belfast area, police said.

Five searches were carried out by detectives from the PSNI Organised Crime Unit in recent weeks in relation to suspected money-laundering activities and the supply of controlled drugs.

On Tuesday, officers searched a business premises in the Stranmillis area of south Belfast where two men and a woman were arrested after class B controlled drugs with a potential street value of around £75,000 were seized.

The three people remain in police custody.

At a second search in Belfast, £17,000 in cash was recovered.

In April, after a search at property in Belfast in relation to money laundering, two people were arrested after around £108,000 was found.

Those two people have since been released on bail pending inquiries, police said.

“We are committed to tackling the supply of controlled drugs within our community and as part of that process we are targeting the finances of those involved in or assisting these criminals,” Detective Inspector Kelly said.

“Drug suppliers’ primary aim is to make money to fund their lifestyle and they should be under no illusion, we will not only take their drugs, we will seize cash and any assets that are deemed proceeds of this criminality.

“It’s crucial that any suspected illicit activity is flagged to police so that action can be taken, and I’m appealing to anyone with information to contact us on 101.”