Police Launch Appeal After £1m Worth Of Drugs Is Found On Motorway

Police in Northern Ireland are appealing for information after suspected cannabis worth an estimated £1m (€1.1 million) fell off a lorry onto the motorway.

Cops say the bags had been strapped onto the roof of a horse box-type vehicle that shed its load on the M1 in south Belfast.

Officers from Police Service Northern Ireland Organised Crime Unit are urging anyone with any information about the 'significant' find to come forward.

PSNI

In a statement, Detective Inspector Aubrey Shaw said: "This is a significant amount of drugs, which have been taken out of circulation. This will have a huge impact on the organised criminals involved in its importation, depriving them of commodity and, most importantly, profit.

"We are continuing with our enquiries, and I want to make a number of appeals about the vehicle involved, its movements and its whereabouts. At this time, the lorry has not been located.

"Were you on the M1, westbound in the Blacks Road junction area between 6.30am and 7am? Do you remember seeing the lorry? Did you witness the incident, or do you have dash cam footage of what occurred, of the vehicle and its movements? Do you know where this vehicle is now?

PSNI

"I would take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who has any information which they believe may assist our investigation to call us on 101 and quote reference number 361 of 03/10/20 or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via [psni.police.uk]."

Yesterday it was reported that the Royal Navy assisted in a huge Caribbean drug bust that stopped more than £160 million ($206m) worth of drugs from potentially reaching the UK.

RFA Argus, Royal Marines and US Coast Guard teams collaborated with Dutch Navy ship HNLMS Groningen which led to them seizing 1.7 tonnes of cocaine and 28kg of amphetamines.

Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said: "The Royal Navy has once again demonstrated its professionalism and tactical operational capability in an international effort to stop illegal drug-smuggling.

"It is with thanks to their efforts that £160m worth of drugs will never reach the streets of the UK."

Topics: UK News, Northern Ireland, crime, Drugs

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19