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£18m drugs haul 'largest in NI' £18m drugs haul 'largest in NI'
(about 1 hour later)
A cannabis seizure made in County Down had an estimated street value of £18m - making it the largest drugs haul in Northern Ireland, police have said.A cannabis seizure made in County Down had an estimated street value of £18m - making it the largest drugs haul in Northern Ireland, police have said.
The drugs were understood to have been in a single shipment which was brought to an industrial unit in Newtownards. The drugs were understood to have been in a single shipment which was brought to a warehouse in Newtownards.
They were seized in an operation involving police and the Revenue and Customs Service on Tuesday. They were seized in an intelligence-led operation involving police and the Revenue and Customs Service on Tuesday.
It is believed the authorities think that a paramilitary link to the smuggling is unlikely. A paramilitary link to the smuggling operation is not suspected by police at this stage.
Two men have been arrested in connection with the seizure.Two men have been arrested in connection with the seizure.
The police said the find was part of a commitment by the Organised Crime Task Force to crack down on illegal drugs.The police said the find was part of a commitment by the Organised Crime Task Force to crack down on illegal drugs.
Cannabis is a dangerous drug and has the capacity to cause real harm Paul GogginsSecurity ministerCannabis is a dangerous drug and has the capacity to cause real harm Paul GogginsSecurity minister
Speaking on Tuesday, Assistant Chief Constable Peter Sheridan said the seizure was "proof of our determination to tackle the scourge of illegal drugs". Drugs Squad Chief Detective Superintendent Hayden Bell said: "We know there has been a considerable drought of cannabis.
"At a strategic level, law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border have just taken part in a conference on organised crime in Limavady. "Had an amount like this hit the streets there would have been considerable demand for it, and it would have reached Northern Ireland, Southern Ireland and possibly back into the UK mainland."
"At an operational level, agencies have worked together to protect the public and take drugs out of circulation."
Security minister Paul Goggins, who chairs the Organised Crime Task Force, said the seizure "clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of our multi-agency approach".Security minister Paul Goggins, who chairs the Organised Crime Task Force, said the seizure "clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of our multi-agency approach".
"Cannabis is a dangerous drug and has the capacity to cause real harm," he added."Cannabis is a dangerous drug and has the capacity to cause real harm," he added.
"Working together, these agencies have been able to remove illegal drugs from our communities and take the profit out of organised crime.""Working together, these agencies have been able to remove illegal drugs from our communities and take the profit out of organised crime."