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£8.4m cannabis operation revealed | £8.4m cannabis operation revealed |
(20 minutes later) | |
Police have released details of a major operation in which £8.4m worth of cannabis has been seized across Northern Ireland. | Police have released details of a major operation in which £8.4m worth of cannabis has been seized across Northern Ireland. |
The PSNI said it had been running the operation for several months. Forty-five people, all from South East Asia, have been charged. | The PSNI said it had been running the operation for several months. Forty-five people, all from South East Asia, have been charged. |
A large number of cannabis factories were also shut down. | A large number of cannabis factories were also shut down. |
"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 the operation, resulting in 56 arrests. | A total of 55 properties were searched as part of the operation, resulting in 56 arrests. |
Officers recovered 14,500 cannabis plants with a street value of £7.3 million and 113 kilos of herbal cannabis with a street value of £1.1 million. | Officers recovered 14,500 cannabis plants with a street value of £7.3 million and 113 kilos of herbal cannabis with a street value of £1.1 million. |
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. | |
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." | |