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Six arrested after 'huge' £1.3m drugs haul in Dromore Six arrested after 'huge' £1.3m drugs haul in Dromore
(35 minutes later)
Six people have been arrested after the seizure of what police believe could be one of Northern Ireland's biggest ever hauls of herbal cannabis.Six people have been arrested after the seizure of what police believe could be one of Northern Ireland's biggest ever hauls of herbal cannabis.
The drug was found hidden inside an industrial-sized fuel tank at a property in Dromore in County Down. The drugs were found hidden inside an industrial-sized fuel tank at a property in Dromore in County Down.
The haul is estimated to be worth about £1.3m.The haul is estimated to be worth about £1.3m.
It was discovered as part of a joint investigation involving the police forces on both sides of the Irish border and Irish customs officials.It was discovered as part of a joint investigation involving the police forces on both sides of the Irish border and Irish customs officials.
The drugs are believed to have entered Ireland at Dublin Port.
Three men - aged 32, 37 and 78 - and two 68-year-old women were detained at the property.Three men - aged 32, 37 and 78 - and two 68-year-old women were detained at the property.
A 42 year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of a number of drugs charges.A 42 year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of a number of drugs charges.
All three pensioners have been released on bail.All three pensioners have been released on bail.
Police also carried out a number of follow-up searches at other locations.Police also carried out a number of follow-up searches at other locations.
Det Supt Bobby Singleton of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the find is the largest seizure of drugs "for some time".Det Supt Bobby Singleton of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the find is the largest seizure of drugs "for some time".
Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said it had "undoubtedly prevented the significant harm that would have resulted from this huge consignment of drugs reaching the streets" across Ireland. He explained that the Irish authorities shared information about the drugs with the PSNI.
Garda Assistant Commissioner Barry O'Brien said the operation showed the strength of police forces working together. "We were then able to mount a policing operation here in the north and make a successful intervention to seize what we estimate to be somewhere in the region of £1.3m of drugs," he said.
"I wish to commend all agencies involved in both jurisdictions which resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of controlled drugs," he added. Det Supt Singleton said the drugs would have been broken up and sold all over Ireland if it had not been found.
"We had seen a shift in terms of the trend around importation, from large load to smaller and more frequent attempt to bring drugs in," he added.
"So it really is quite different and quite significant for us.
"What I think is really powerful about it is the fact that this is the result of collaboration between ourselves, An Garda Síochána and the Irish customs authorities.
"That's absolutely vital in order to help us tackle organised crime on the island of Ireland."
Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said the find had "undoubtedly prevented the significant harm that would have resulted from this huge consignment of drugs reaching the streets" across Ireland.