Weekend drugs haul welcomed by community group
MAGHERA Community Against Drugs have welcomed weekend raids in the town which ensured the seizure of cannabis with a street value of £3,000 and the arrest of a suspected drug dealer.
A spokesperson for the activist group said: "The weekend raids and arrests came about as a result of people from within our community coming forward to ourselves with information and in turn strong pressure being put on the PSNI by our group, elected representatives and some members of the local District Policing Partnership to take action against the well known elements involved in the lucrative local drugs scene.
"A number of months ago, our activist group through an information leaflet alerted local people to the high level of drug taking in the area. Misuse of any drug, hard or soft, is unacceptable especially as so-called softer drugs lead to the use of harder drugs.
“Within Maghera, cocaine use has increased sharply and it is only a matter of time before those who supply drugs locally progress to the supply of the most dangerous drugs such as heroin.
"Our focus remains on tackling this scourge on our community. Our aim is to raise awareness of this growing threat - one aimed at the heart of our community - our young people
"It is imperative that parents and young people who have become victims of the local drugs dealers but who want to get released from the grip of such unscrupulous people continue to come forward to ourselves with information regarding the local drugs scene, just as they have been doing over the course of recent weeks.
“Acting together as a united community, we can then hold local policing structures and other relevant statutory agencies to account in terms of ridding our community of the drug dealers amongst us and the misery being visited on families."
Sinn Fin councillor, Sen Kerr has welcomed the weekend policing operation in Maghera that ensured raids on the homes of suspected drug dealers, resulting in cannabis with a street value of 3,000 being taken out of circulation.
Councillor Kerr said: "Friday night's house searches and arrest operation is a very welcome development in our community's fight back against the peddlars of misery in our community. I commend the many local people who have come forward with information regarding the nefarious drug trade in our local area. It is important that everyone living in our community play their part in the fight against drugs and the misery that goes with it..
"I commend the actions of Maghera Community Against Drugs in making local people aware of the increasing drugs problem facing us and providing information for young people and parents regarding support organisations and services aimed at breaking of the cycle of drug abuse."
DUP Mid Ulster MLA and Policing Board member Ian McCrea also welcomed the seizure of drugs and cash.
“The fact that these drugs have been taken out of circulation lessens the opportunity of drugs being sold on our streets,” he said.
“Drugs is an increasing problem in the area and a major concern for parents. This is something I have raised with the police.
“Local information is vital in the fight against drugs and it is important that any information is given to the Police to tackle this scourge on our society.”
A PSNI spokesperson said : “A quantity of suspected cannabis valued at 3000, cash and drugs paraphernalia have been seized by police during a house search in the Hawthorne Road area of Maghera at 9pm on Friday. A 26-year-old man was arrested and is helping police with their enquiries.
“In a separate search of a house in Rowan Glynn, Maghera, police seized a small amount of suspected cannabis. A man and a woman, both aged twenty, were arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.”
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 24 May 2012
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