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| Gang link to £8.4m cannabis haul | Gang link to £8.4m cannabis haul |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Chinese criminal gangs are believed to be behind an £8.4m cannabis haul in Northern Ireland, police have said. | Chinese criminal gangs are believed to be behind an £8.4m cannabis haul in Northern Ireland, police have said. |
| Forty-five people, all from South East Asia, have been charged in connection with the find. | Forty-five people, all from South East Asia, have been charged in connection with the find. |
| More than 14,500 cannabis plants were seized and a number of so-called "cannabis factories" across Northern Ireland have been shut down. | More than 14,500 cannabis plants were seized and a number of so-called "cannabis factories" across Northern Ireland have been shut down. |
| Police believe gangs based in Great Britain have switched their focus to Northern Ireland. | Police believe gangs based in Great Britain have switched their focus to Northern Ireland. |
| "Police believe these factories are linked to organised crime," said Detective Inspector Peter Moore. | "Police believe these factories are linked to organised crime," said Detective Inspector Peter Moore. |
| "Organised crime gangs have turned their attention from mainland UK to Northern Ireland, presumably because they thought they wouldn't get caught. They were wrong." | "Organised crime gangs have turned their attention from mainland UK to Northern Ireland, presumably because they thought they wouldn't get caught. They were wrong." |
| "We believe the cannabis is being cultivated here for distribution and sale outside Northern Ireland. Our investigations are continuing with a number of other agencies to determine the scale and extent of the network." | "We believe the cannabis is being cultivated here for distribution and sale outside Northern Ireland. Our investigations are continuing with a number of other agencies to determine the scale and extent of the network." |
| A total of 55 properties were searched as part of an operation dating back to late last year which resulted in 56 arrests. | A total of 55 properties were searched as part of an operation dating back to late last year which resulted in 56 arrests. |
| Officers recovered 14,500 cannabis plants with a street value of £7.3m and 113 kilos of herbal cannabis with a street value of £1.1m. The cannabis was being grown in rented houses across Northern Ireland. | Officers recovered 14,500 cannabis plants with a street value of £7.3m and 113 kilos of herbal cannabis with a street value of £1.1m. The cannabis was being grown in rented houses across Northern Ireland. |
| They also seized £120,000 in cash as well as substantial amounts of cannabis growing equipment. | They also seized £120,000 in cash as well as substantial amounts of cannabis growing equipment. |
| Police believe those involved are not local Chinese people but individuals from outside Northern Ireland. | Police believe those involved are not local Chinese people but individuals from outside Northern Ireland. |
| Peter Moore said: "Officers have met with representatives of the local Chinese community and they are as outraged as all other right-thinking members of our society." | Peter Moore said: "Officers have met with representatives of the local Chinese community and they are as outraged as all other right-thinking members of our society." |