Northern Ireland

PSNI involved in multi-million pound pharmaceutical drugs bust in Manchester

PSNI officers were involved in an operation which led to the recovery of several million pounds worth of pharmaceutical products in Greater Manchester. Picture by PSNI
PSNI officers were involved in an operation which led to the recovery of several million pounds worth of pharmaceutical products in Greater Manchester. Picture by PSNI PSNI officers were involved in an operation which led to the recovery of several million pounds worth of pharmaceutical products in Greater Manchester. Picture by PSNI

PSNI officers have been involved in a multi-million pound pharmaceutical drugs bust in Manchester.

Six men were arrested following searches by the PSNI's Derry city and Strabane district support team and Greater Manchester Police (GMP), which led to the recovery of several million pounds worth of pharmaceutical products.

Several properties were raided as part of an investigation into the unlawful sale of medicine and controlled drugs online.

The men were detained on suspicion of supplying Class C drugs.

PSNI Chief Inspector Alan Hutton said: "We have spent the past few months working with Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority and GMP in identifying where the public are able to get hold of these controlled drugs, and uncovering who is responsible.

"From this investigation, it is clear that this is a comprehensive operation, with genuine pharmaceuticals being unlawfully removed from the supply chain in the UK and then sold, illegally, online.

"While arrests have been made in Greater Manchester today, we are continuing with our investigations and are committed to finding those who facilitate the supply of illegal substances across Derry City and Strabane Policing District and indeed across Northern Ireland."

Meanwhile, a suspected cannabis factory has been discovered by police in south Belfast.

Plants with an estimated street value of £75,000 and cash were found after a search in the Cairnshill Road area on Sunday.

Detective Inspector Pete Mullan said: "We are committed to tackling the issue of drugs and this discovery means we have interrupted the cultivation of cannabis and removed a significant quantity of drugs from sale."