More than £2m of drugs seized in airports operation targeting crime gang

Detectives have seized more than £2 million of cannabis in recent months in an operation targeting a criminal network suspected of moving drugs and cash in luggage on planes.

Police believe that some of the drugs were couriered from Thailand and some were intended to travel on from Northern Ireland to Dublin.

One police officer suffered a serious injury while arresting a suspect who had attempted to escape.

The PSNI said it had recently conducted an “intensification of activity across Northern Ireland’s main airports”.

As well as the drugs, a large quantity of cash has been seized.

Nine men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of drugs-related offences in connection with the investigation. They have all appeared before court.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “It’s clear the drugs and cash seized belonged to a criminal network which we now know has a large footprint across the UK and Ireland.

“Some of these drugs originated in England, while others were couriered from as far afield as Thailand.

“These drugs were destined for multiple criminal groups supplying onto the streets of Northern Ireland.

“Some of those arrested had onward travel booked to Dublin in an attempt to peddle their wares there.

“Our investigations are continuing into this wider criminal network, and without doubt, there will be exploitation of individuals, whether in the production, supply or consumption of drugs.”

The PSNI said there is “no such thing as harmless drugs”.

The spokesperson added: “Someone, somewhere in this process, is likely to have suffered, and criminals involved in this type of activity are relentless in their pursuit of money.”

“We, however, are equally as relentless in our pursuit of those involved, as demonstrated by the seizures and arrests made to date.

“Unfortunately an officer involved in this investigation sustained a serious injury effecting an arrest of a suspect who attempted to make off from police.

“The officer is currently receiving ongoing medical attention.

“We, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to actively target those responsible.  We also, however, rely upon information from the public.

“With your help, we can focus our efforts on identifying those who make their living by bringing drugs into and onto our streets and neighbourhoods.”