Police in Derry make number of drug seizures and arrests over the past weekend

Police in Derry made a number of seizures of suspected drugs over the past weekend, between Friday, 26th July and yesterday evening, Sunday 28th July. 

Following two separate incidents in the city on Friday evening, one at around 6.00pm in the city centre area, and one in a different area just before 10.00pm, two men were arrested and subsequently charged with drug-related offences in relation to the separate incidents. Both males were scheduled to appear before Derry Magistrates' Court today (Monday, 29th July). As is usual procedure, charges in relation to these incidents will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

On Sunday afternoon, 28th July, police attended an address in the vicinity of Strand Road where they detected and seized suspected Class B drugs. A man was arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences and bailed to allow for further enquiries to be conducted. 

Later on Sunday evening, police on patrol in the Galliagh area stopped with a male in the area. Officers subsequently seized a quantity of suspected Class A drugs. The male has since been charged with offences, including possession of a Class A controlled drug to appear before Derry Magistrates' Court next month. As is usual procedure, the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Chief Inspector Siobhan Watt said: "We are doing all we can to prevent and detect as much drug-related activity as possible, and we’re urging anyone with any information about suspected drug dealing in their area to report it to us on the non-emergency number 101. You can also provide information anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org"

Emergency and priority calls

Over the weekend, officers responded to close to 170 emergency and priority calls from Friday morning (26 July) to just before midnight on Sunday (28th July). These calls included a wide range of issues, including domestic-related incidents, assault and criminal damage, concern for safety calls, missing person reports and traffic/vehicle-related incidents.

Chief Inspector Watt said: "This past weekend saw our officers deal with a wide range of matters, many involving people experiencing a crisis in their lives and in need of immediate help. We worked with partner agencies, including health sector colleagues, in relation to some of these calls. 

"We encourage anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they need help to call us on 101; always 999 in an emergency.”

Chief Inspector Watt  added: "Unfortunately, some of our officers were assaulted when responding to calls, which is completely unacceptable. Our officers are here to help and the job they do should never be taken for granted.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank members of the public who made reports in relation to incidents, and encourage anyone who sees suspicious activity, or anything they believe to be unusual to report it to us either on 101, online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ 

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/; always 999 in an emergency.”