Northern Ireland

Police cross-border crime operation leads to drugs seizure and arrest after high-speed chase

PSNI Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn met with colleagues from An Garda Siochana on the Tyrone/Monaghan Border on Saturday as part of a cross-border operation over the Christmas period
PSNI Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn met with colleagues from An Garda Siochana on the Tyrone/Monaghan Border on Saturday as part of a cross-border operation over the Christmas period PSNI Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn met with colleagues from An Garda Siochana on the Tyrone/Monaghan Border on Saturday as part of a cross-border operation over the Christmas period

A 29-year-old man is due to appear in court this morning in connection with a litany of drugs charges following a cross-border chase by police.

The man was arrested at the weekend after the the PSNI and Gardaí embarked on an operation targeting criminals and drink-drivers over the Christmas period.

Shortly after 10.15am on Saturday morning it was reported that a vehicle failed to stop for for gardai at the Fermanagh/Cavan border.

Two stinger devices was deployed as the driver made off towards the Derrylin Road area and was chased by specially trained officers. He was was stopped at the Drummeer Road area of Lisbellaw.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class A Controlled drug, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving and other motoring offences.

A search was subsequently carried out at a residential premises in the Fermanagh area and suspected Class A drugs with an estimated street value of £23,000 were recovered.

The man remains in police custody and will appear at Enniskillen Magistrates Court this morning.

The joint police operation will take place day and night over the coming weeks.

In a separate border incident on Saturday, a garda officer was injured in a hit-and-run incident near Dundalk.

It happened at around 1.45pm on Saturday near the Jonesborough junction of the M1.

Police said the male officer was struck by a car, which had been pulled over after a mobile speed check.

His injuries are described as serious, but not life threatening.

Gardaí said the car initially stopped before leaving the scene. The injured officer, who is based in Dundalk, had left a patrol car to speak to the driver.

Gardaí have appealed for other drivers on the northbound carriageway who have dash-cam footage of the incident to contact them.