Major PSNI operation uncovers nine cannabis factories worth £1.1m as 16 arrested across Northern Ireland

PSNI cannabis seizure in Clabby

A major police operation targeting organised crime has led to the discovery of nine cannabis factories with an estimated street value of £1.1 million and the arrest of 16 men across Northern Ireland.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch, supported by Local Policing and Operational Support officers, carried out a series of proactive searches over two days, on 23 and 24 June, uncovering large-scale cannabis cultivation sites in Counties Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh.

The operation resulted in cannabis plants worth approximately £1.1 million being seized and what police have described as a significant blow to organised criminal networks involved in drug production and supply.

Of the 16 men arrested, 14 were detained on suspicion of drug-related offences linked to suspected cannabis cultivation and associated criminality, while a further two were arrested in connection with suspected counterfeit currency offences.

Police confirmed that 13 suspects remain in custody, two have been released on bail and one has been released unconditionally.

Nine grow houses uncovered across three counties

According to Detective Sergeant Elliott from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch, officers located nine cannabis grow houses in a number of towns and villages including Armagh, Newtownhamilton, Keady, Killylea, Coalisland, Aughnacloy, Omagh and Clabby.

The detective said the scale and sophistication of many of the sites highlighted the level of organisation involved.

“The majority of the properties were in rural locations, with many of the structures significant in size and sophistication. This would inevitably involve considerable planning, investment, and time – in terms of both establishment and maintenance,” he said.

PSNI cannabis seizure in Clabby

Police believe the operations were generating substantial profits for organised criminal groups.

“Illegal grow operations, of such complexity, are without doubt generating profits for criminal networks,” Detective Sergeant Elliott added.

“Organised crime groups who exploit others, in this case through the supply of drugs, have one aim only and that’s to line their own pockets. Sadly, this often comes at the expense of vulnerable people.”

Full list of arrests and offences

Police have released details of all 16 arrests made during the operation.

Armagh

A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

• Cultivating cannabis

A 64-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

• Cultivating cannabis

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

He has since been released on police bail.

Newtownhamilton

A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Cultivating cannabis

• Being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Cultivating cannabis

• Being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

Keady – Location 1

A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Cultivating cannabis

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

Keady – Location 2

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Being concerned in the supply of Class B controlled drugs

• Cultivating cannabis

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug

• Cultivating cannabis

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

Coalisland

Police seizure: Coalisland

A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Being concerned in the production of Class B controlled drugs

• Cultivating cannabis

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Being concerned in the supply of Class B controlled drugs

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

Ballygawley

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Being concerned in the production of a Class B controlled drug (three counts)

• Conspiracy to supply a Class B controlled drug (three counts)

• Conspiracy to cultivate a Class B controlled drug (three counts)

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Being concerned in an offer to supply a Class B drug

• Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis

Aughnacloy

A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Cultivating cannabis

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Being concerned in the supply of Class B controlled drugs

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

A 35-year-old man and a 41-year-old man were both arrested on suspicion of possessing counterfeit currency.

The 35-year-old has since been released on bail, while the 41-year-old has been released unconditionally.

Omagh

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

• Being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug (two counts)

• Cultivating cannabis

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis (three counts)

• Conspiracy to supply a Class B controlled drug (two counts)

• Being concerned in the production of a Class B controlled drug (three counts)

Clabby

A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of:

• Being concerned in the production of Class B controlled drugs

• Cultivating cannabis

• Dishonestly using electricity

• Being concerned in the supply of Class B controlled drugs

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug

• Possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply

Manchester arrest linked to investigation

Police also confirmed that a 43-year-old man was arrested in Manchester under Section 137A of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 on suspicion of involvement in a specified offence connected to the wider investigation.

Investigation remains ongoing

Detective Sergeant Elliott described the operation as one of significant importance because of the number of cannabis factories uncovered, the volume of drugs seized and the number of arrests made.

“The investigation is extremely significant in terms of the number of constructions identified, the subsequent number of arrests and the volume of seizures,” he said.

“By identifying and shutting down the grow houses, and by making arrests, we’re helping to stop criminality in its tracks. Our investigation will, however, continue beyond today’s arrests.”

The detective also appealed for continued public support as inquiries progress.

“We, as a police service, will continue to identify and investigate those who make their living from crime, and we remain grateful for your support.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or submit a report online via the PSNI website.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

The investigation remains active and police have indicated that further enquiries and potential enforcement action may follow as detectives continue examining evidence gathered during the operation.