By Q Radio News
A 40 year old man has been charged with possession of a Class A controlled drug, possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class B controlled drug, possession of a Class C controlled drug and firearms licencing offences.
He is due to appear at Newtownards Magistrates Court via videolink on Thursday 16th July. As is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
The charges are in relation to a number of searches carried out in the Dundonald area by Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) investigating suspected drug criminality linked to east Belfast UVF on Friday 19 June.
Detective Inspector Hamilton said “The operation is evidence that the PCTF will continue to investigate all aspects of criminality being carried out by anyone purporting to be operating under the convenient flag of a paramilitary organisation. Paramilitaries are not defenders of their communities, instead they are criminals who prey on vulnerable people and exploit any circumstances they can for their own gain.
“We know that the communities most affected utterly support our ongoing efforts and want to work with us to end the harm caused by the criminal activity of paramilitaries.
“I would encourage anyone with any information regarding criminal activity to contact police on 101 or alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”
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