Northern Ireland

Police investigating the UDA in north Antrim raid properties and seize drugs

Detectives attached to the Paramilitary Crime Task Force carried out the searches in the Dervock and Ballymena areas

Police raided two homes as part of investigation into UDA gang activity
Police raided three properties as part of investigation into the criminal activities of the UDA in north Antrim

Police raided three properties in Co Antrim on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of the North Antrim UDA.

Detectives attached to the Paramilitary Crime Task Force carried out the searches of the properties in Dervock and Ballymoney.

The raids were part of an ongoing investigation into suspected criminality linked to the North Antrim UDA, the PSNI said.

Police from the Detectives from PSNI's Criminal Investigation Branch and Paramilitary Crime Task Force carrying out searches in east Belfast.
Detectives attached to the Paramilitary Crime Task Force carried out the searches

“As a result of the searches, a quantity of suspected Class B drugs has been seized along with a number of electronic devices. The items will now be taken away for further forensic examination,” a police spokesman added.

“Our enquiries remain ongoing and these searches demonstrate of our commitment to tackle all types of criminality linked to paramilitaries in an ongoing effort to rid our communities of the harm these groups cause and of their coercive control.

“We would like to thank the local community for their continued support and will continue to act on the information you provide us. “I would encourage anyone with information about the supply or use of illegal drugs to contact police” or Crimestoppers.