Drug dealers take a hit as police mount ‘Operation Torus’ raids in Ballymena

Its combination of police action to disrupt and arrest drug dealers on the ground along with a media campaign designed to encourage local people to report the sale and supply of drugs in their area is working successfully in the borough and the wider H District.

Since operational activity began on August 20, police in H District, which incorporates, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne and Moyle have conducted 144 stop and searches, made 84 arrests, carried out 168 drugs searches and seized over £5,000 worth of drugs.

The types of drugs seized have included cannabis, herbal cannabis, mephadrone and prescription drugs.

The Ballymena Times was invited to join the operation last Tuesday and we were able to witness at first hand the planned search of a house in the Smithfield area of the town involving officers from the Ballymena Crime Team.

No arrests were made and no drugs were found on the premises, however, officers took some ‘paraphernalia’ away for forensic examination.

Speaking afterwards, a member of the Crime Team described the planned search as “successful”, pointing out that items seized would be the subject of further police investigation.

Province-wide since Operation Torus began on August 20, police have conducted 1,142 searches, seized £287,781.25 worth of drugs, and have arrested 198 people.
In addition to the figures generated to date by Operation Torus, from April 1–August 31, this year, the Organised Crime Branch have seized £11,173,200 worth of drugs as part of strategic operations against Organised Crime Gangs.

‘H’ District Commander Chief Superintendent Chris Noble said police want to build upon the hard work of Operation Torus.

“We will continue to work with community groups, political representatives, churches and schools to educate young people and to raise awareness around the dangers associated with drug taking and the impact drugs can have not only on your health, but on your whole life,” he said. “Information is also key to how we tackle drugs and I would encourage local people to contact your local police and let us know what you know about dealing in your area.

“The more cooperation we can get from our community, the better equipped we are to disrupt the activities of drug dealing criminals who are involved in the sale and supply of drugs and bring these individuals before the courts.

“With community support, we can continue to put pressure on the dealers by carrying out further targeted searches and making significant arrests,” said the District Commander.

Area Commander for Ballymena and Larne T/Chief Inspector Bryan Hume added: “The police in Ballymena and Larne will continue to work tirelessly to remove these potentially dangerous drugs from our streets. We remain committed to tackling the scourge of illegal drugs and are working to disrupt those involved in the sale and supply of drugs to limit the amount of misery they are able to inflict on communities and ultimately put these criminals behind bars.”

“If you have any information please pick up the phone and contact Police.”

“Our message is clear and simple: if you see or know of anyone who is dealing drugs in your local area, then contact your local police on 0845 600 8000 or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111 and pass on any details that you may have.

“Remember they are living on the proceeds of these drugs while ruining the lives of others,” he said.