Two men arrested after suspected £3,000 drug seizure during early morning police stop in Co Antrim

Two men have been arrested by police following a vehicle stop in County Antrim in the early hours of Wednesday 14th May, during which officers seized a quantity of suspected Class A drugs valued at approximately £3,000.

The incident occurred shortly after 1.30am when a police officer on patrol observed a suspicious vehicle travelling along the Antrim Road, Newtownabbey. After signalling to the driver to pull over, the officer noticed a plastic bag being discarded from the vehicle.

Chief Inspector Doherty explained:

“Shortly after 1.30am, an officer on duty observed a suspicious vehicle travelling along the Antrim Road and signalled to the driver to pull over. Upon indicating to the driver, the officer noticed a plastic bag being thrown from the vehicle. This bag was located and a quantity of suspected drugs estimated to be worth approximately £3000 was discovered.”

The two men, aged 38 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug and have been taken into custody for further questioning.

Chief Inspector Doherty continued:

“Two men aged 38 and 27 were arrested for being in the possession of a Class A drug and taken into police custody. Following additional enquiries, the driver was identified as wanted on seven bench warrants and also in relation to a hit and run incident involving a child earlier this year.”

The arrests form part of Operation Dealbreaker, the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) initiative aimed at tackling drug crime and protecting local communities from the harm caused by illegal substances.

“This vehicle stop, arrest and recovery of drugs forms part of Op Dealbreaker, a commitment made by the PSNI to protect our community from drugs and those supplying, enabling us to actively pursue those involved in this type of criminality,” said Chief Inspector Doherty.

He added: “The officer on duty happened to be in the right place at the right time this morning, enabling a proactive vehicle stop to be made. I would ask however, if anyone has any information about suspected drug takers or any dealing being conducted in their local area, to call the non-emergency number 101 and report it to us.

“The more reports made to us, the more we can proactively patrol areas of concern to get drugs off our streets.”

Members of the public are encouraged to report any concerns they may have regarding drug activity in their neighbourhoods.

Reports can also be submitted online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or anonymously through the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.