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Huge cocaine haul found in furniture in County Tyrone | Huge cocaine haul found in furniture in County Tyrone |
(about 12 hours later) | |
Police have discovered one of the largest amounts of cocaine ever found in Northern Ireland in a delivery of furniture. | |
Detectives said 50kg of the drug was found at commercial premises in County Tyrone on Tuesday. | Detectives said 50kg of the drug was found at commercial premises in County Tyrone on Tuesday. |
Officers identified two suitcases packed with bags of white powder that tested as cocaine. | Officers identified two suitcases packed with bags of white powder that tested as cocaine. |
A detective said: "A conservative value for this haul would be £2.5m. A street value would be substantially higher." | A detective said: "A conservative value for this haul would be £2.5m. A street value would be substantially higher." |
In an unconnected incident, Dutch authorities have seized 20kg of cocaine at a port in the Netherlands that police believe was destined for the County Fermanagh area of Northern Ireland. | In an unconnected incident, Dutch authorities have seized 20kg of cocaine at a port in the Netherlands that police believe was destined for the County Fermanagh area of Northern Ireland. |
Police said this seizure has been "conservatively valued at £1m". No-one was arrested. | Police said this seizure has been "conservatively valued at £1m". No-one was arrested. |
'Fortuitous' | 'Fortuitous' |
In Tyrone, Det Supt Mullan said that after receiving information, officers examined the recently delivered container of furniture in which they made the "fortuitous" discovery. | In Tyrone, Det Supt Mullan said that after receiving information, officers examined the recently delivered container of furniture in which they made the "fortuitous" discovery. |
"It is undoubtedly one of the biggest cocaine finds ever made in Northern Ireland," he said. | "It is undoubtedly one of the biggest cocaine finds ever made in Northern Ireland," he said. |
"To put this in context, over a three-year period from 2011/12 to 2013/14, PSNI seized a total of 49kg of cocaine in 1,053 seizure incidents - this is an average of 47 grammes per seizure incident. | "To put this in context, over a three-year period from 2011/12 to 2013/14, PSNI seized a total of 49kg of cocaine in 1,053 seizure incidents - this is an average of 47 grammes per seizure incident. |
"There were only two seizures of 3kg or more. Half of all seizures were of just one gramme or less. Last night we got 50kg." | "There were only two seizures of 3kg or more. Half of all seizures were of just one gramme or less. Last night we got 50kg." |
He said there was no suggestion that the company based at the premises knew what was in the container. No-one has been arrested. | He said there was no suggestion that the company based at the premises knew what was in the container. No-one has been arrested. |
"We will be working with law enforcement colleagues in various parts of the world to establish where this came from, where it was going to and who was involved," he said. | "We will be working with law enforcement colleagues in various parts of the world to establish where this came from, where it was going to and who was involved," he said. |
"It is unlikely that such a substantial amount was destined for the Northern Ireland market, but we'll see where our enquiries lead." | "It is unlikely that such a substantial amount was destined for the Northern Ireland market, but we'll see where our enquiries lead." |
He said initial tests of the white powder had registered it as cocaine, and it had been sent under armed guard for detailed forensic examination. | He said initial tests of the white powder had registered it as cocaine, and it had been sent under armed guard for detailed forensic examination. |
Justice Minister David Ford said the seizure "will undoubtedly prevent more misery and possibly save lives". | Justice Minister David Ford said the seizure "will undoubtedly prevent more misery and possibly save lives". |
"We must never become complacent about the dangers of illegal drugs, because they ruin lives and can ruin communities," he said. | "We must never become complacent about the dangers of illegal drugs, because they ruin lives and can ruin communities," he said. |