£1 million cocaine seizure and child image offences uncovered in major PSNI organised crime investigation

A major organised crime investigation has led to the arrest of a 30-year-old man and the seizure of suspected cocaine worth an estimated £1 million, after detectives uncovered evidence of drug supply, illicit cash movement and indecent images of children on mobile devices.

The man was arrested on Friday, 1 May, in the Cookstown area by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Unit. He is being held on suspicion of offences relating to drug supply, money laundering and indecent images of children.

Forensic breakthrough linked to earlier vehicle stop

The arrest follows a detailed forensic examination of two mobile phones seized months earlier, after a vehicle was stopped by police in the Markethill area in January.

Detectives say the devices revealed significant evidence pointing to organised drug supply activity involving both cocaine and cannabis, as well as the movement of illicit cash.

During the same examination, indecent images of children were also discovered on one of the phones.

Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney outlined how the investigation developed, stating:

“This arrest comes as a result of the forensic examination of two mobile phone devices seized by detectives from a vehicle stopped in January in the Markethill area.

“The devices showed evidence of organised drug supply of both cocaine and cannabis and the movement of illicit cash. Indecent images of children were also uncovered on a phone.”

£1 million drug haul recovered in Dungannon search

As part of follow-up searches linked to the investigation, officers recovered suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of £1 million from a property in Dungannon.

The scale of the seizure highlights what police describe as the “multi-layered criminality” often associated with organised crime groups operating across Northern Ireland.

Detective Inspector Sweeney added:

“This arrest displays two things: firstly, our commitment to tackling this type of harm using all the technical capabilities at our disposal, and secondly, the multi-layered criminality that organised criminal groups are involved in.”

Warning over hidden harm behind drug use

Police have used the case to underline the wider consequences of illegal drug use, warning that the impact extends far beyond individual transactions.

Detective Inspector Sweeney said:

“People do need to understand that for every gram of cocaine they buy from a drug dealer, there is a real level of harm behind that. This harm may not be immediately visible but it is very real.”

The investigation continues, with detectives urging the public to come forward with any information that could assist efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks.

Public urged to come forward with information

Police are appealing for anyone with information about organised criminality to contact them on 101.

Reports can also be made online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

The arrest and seizure mark a significant development in an ongoing investigation that police say demonstrates both the scale of organised crime activity and the breadth of offences often linked to it, with further enquiries continuing.

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At a glance

• 30-year-old man arrested in Cookstown on Friday, 1 May

• Suspected offences include drug supply, money laundering and indecent images of children

• Arrest linked to forensic analysis of phones seized in January vehicle stop in Markethill

• Evidence of cocaine and cannabis supply and illicit cash movement uncovered

• Indecent images of children found on one of the devices

• Suspected cocaine worth £1 million recovered from Dungannon property

• Police highlight “multi-layered criminality” of organised crime groups

• Public urged to report information via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers