This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30219264

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Northern Ireland 'soft touch' for cocaine smugglers Northern Ireland 'soft touch' for cocaine smugglers
(27 minutes later)
Northern Ireland is "a soft touch" for international drugs smugglers, a former police chief has said.Northern Ireland is "a soft touch" for international drugs smugglers, a former police chief has said.
Alan McQuillan was speaking after one of the largest amounts of cocaine ever found in Northern Ireland was discovered in a furniture delivery.Alan McQuillan was speaking after one of the largest amounts of cocaine ever found in Northern Ireland was discovered in a furniture delivery.
About 50 kg of the drug was found packed into suitcases at a shop in Ballygawley, County Tyrone, on Tuesday. About 50 kg of the drug was found packed into suitcases at premises in Ballygawley, County Tyrone, on Tuesday.
In an unconnected incident, 20 kg of cocaine was seized in a shipment police believe was bound for Fermanagh.In an unconnected incident, 20 kg of cocaine was seized in a shipment police believe was bound for Fermanagh.
It was discovered at a port in the Netherlands. Dutch police believe it was destined for County Fermanagh.It was discovered at a port in the Netherlands. Dutch police believe it was destined for County Fermanagh.
Mr McQuillan, a former assistant PSNI chief constable, said the two consignments could be worth between £10m to £14m on the street. Mr McQuillan, a former PSNI assistant chief constable, said the two consignments could be worth between £10m to £14m on the street.
"These huge quantities of drugs are moving through Northern Ireland. It is being used as a trans-shipment point and some of this is probably for the Irish Republic and some for the United Kingdom," he said."These huge quantities of drugs are moving through Northern Ireland. It is being used as a trans-shipment point and some of this is probably for the Irish Republic and some for the United Kingdom," he said.
"Sadly, Northern Ireland now seems to be a soft touch for this because we don't have the National Crime Agency here and there is a glaring gap in our defences."Sadly, Northern Ireland now seems to be a soft touch for this because we don't have the National Crime Agency here and there is a glaring gap in our defences.
"We are behind the game with the rest of the UK and the rest of Ireland.""We are behind the game with the rest of the UK and the rest of Ireland."
Mr McQuillan said the drugs had been discovered "fortuitously".Mr McQuillan said the drugs had been discovered "fortuitously".
'Low risk route''Low risk route'
He said cuts to PSNI budgets and a skills issue because of the lack of a National Crime Agency made Northern Ireland "a weak link" and an easier way to deliver drugs to both the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. He said cuts to police budgets and a skills issue because of the lack of a National Crime Agency made Northern Ireland "a weak link" and an easier way to deliver drugs to both the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
He warned that if the drugs cartels viewed Northern Ireland as a low risk route, then they would use it.He warned that if the drugs cartels viewed Northern Ireland as a low risk route, then they would use it.
"We do really need an effective system for sharing the intelligence and combating these people," he said."We do really need an effective system for sharing the intelligence and combating these people," he said.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has only limited powers in Northern Ireland.The National Crime Agency (NCA) has only limited powers in Northern Ireland.
Under the 1998 agreement that led to a political settlement and power-sharing in Northern Ireland, policing was subjected to a far higher degree of community oversight and monitoring than in other parts of the UK. The chief constable and officers are responsible to the Policing Board.Under the 1998 agreement that led to a political settlement and power-sharing in Northern Ireland, policing was subjected to a far higher degree of community oversight and monitoring than in other parts of the UK. The chief constable and officers are responsible to the Policing Board.
The NCA answers directly to the home secretary, meaning there can be no local oversight or control - and nationalist parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly said that it could operate as a parallel but unaccountable police force.The NCA answers directly to the home secretary, meaning there can be no local oversight or control - and nationalist parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly said that it could operate as a parallel but unaccountable police force.
The NCA will carry out its border and customs functions in Northern Ireland - but not its other crime-fighting roles.The NCA will carry out its border and customs functions in Northern Ireland - but not its other crime-fighting roles.
A police detective said there was no suggestion that the company based at the premises knew what was in the container found in Tyrone. No-one has been arrested.A police detective said there was no suggestion that the company based at the premises knew what was in the container found in Tyrone. No-one has been arrested.
Justice Minister David Ford said the seizure would "undoubtedly prevent more misery and possibly save lives".Justice Minister David Ford said the seizure would "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.