Nine reported drug deaths in north policing area since beginning of 2017

There have been nine reported drug deaths in the north policing area since the beginning of the year.

The policing 'North Area' covers the Derry City & Strabane, Mid & East Antrim, Causeway Coast & Glens and Antrim & Newtownabbey council areas.

Commenting on police activity in North Area Detective Chief Inspector Dunny McCubbin said: "Our Operation Torus activity to date has resulted in 49 searches, 38 seizures and 14 arrests. Drugs recovered have included herbal cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, Diazepam and steroids."

Operation Torus is a policing initiative which deals with the issue of street level drug dealing across Northern Ireland.

The campaign runs at various times of the year and is designed to encourage reporting of drug dealing.

"What is giving us real cause for concern is the increase in drug related deaths in our area with 9 reported since the start of this year," said Inspector McCubbin.

"The dangers of taking illegal drugs and abusing prescription drugs are well-documented and when alcohol is added to the mix the repercussions can be fatal.

"We will continue to act on the information the community provides us to remove illegal drugs and bring the dealers and suppliers to court but raising awareness around the dangers of drugs requires a collective response from parents, peers, the health and education sectors and others."

All Operation Torus figures are provisional and subject to change at this stage.