PSNI seizes £250,000 in suspected Class A drugs after armed arrest in Belfast city centre

Armed officers from the PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force intercepted a vehicle in Belfast, seizing an estimated £250,000 worth of suspected Class A drugs.

Belfast drugs bust: armed officers net £250k haul after vehicle fails to stop

Armed officers from the PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force seized an estimated £250,000 worth of suspected Class A drugs following a dramatic arrest in Belfast city centre, irishnews.com reports.

The operation unfolded on Wednesday in the Donegall Quay area during a proactive policing operation, when a vehicle failed to stop as instructed and attempted to move off. In doing so, it collided with two police vehicles. No injuries were reported.

A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that a subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a large quantity of suspected Class A controlled drugs, which were seized at the scene.

The driver, a man in his thirties, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply, providing money or property for the purposes of terrorism, failing to stop for police, and driving without due care and attention. He remained in custody on Thursday.

Footage of the arrest, which circulated online, shows the vehicle boxed in by officers. Three armed police surround it, weapons raised, while one officer smashes a passenger-side window. The driver is then pulled from the vehicle and brought to the ground, with a second officer moving to restrain his legs.

Follow-up searches in the Newtownabbey and Mallusk areas uncovered further suspected drugs along with a number of vehicles. The total estimated street value of all drugs recovered across the searches reached £225,000, the spokesperson said.

"Our enquiries are ongoing," the spokesperson added.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)