And drug-related deaths in the borough were the driving force behind a step up in the number of searches carried outby local police.

There were 724 searches carried out in the past 12 months, compared to 531 the year before - that represents a rise of 36.3%.

Revealing the figures to Ballymena District Policing Partnership, Area Commander Barbara Gray said there had been a focus on drugs offences and an increase in the number of searches.

She said: "There has been a tremendous effort in this area as there has been a number of drug-related deaths in the Ballymena area over recent years.

"This focus shall continue."

Chief Inspector Gray added: "The pro-activity of the crime team in that area is commendable. In the year 2007/08 there were 531 searches and this year that has risen to 724.

"All of these searches we have to ensure that there are reasonable grounds to search and that they are all lawful, proportional and necessary within legislation.

“Our arrests for drug offences averages out at around one arrest.”

Of the 724 searches, there were 86 relating to property and 638 carried out on individual people.

The total street value of drugs seized was £1,599,052.