FOUR people have been charged following the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine at a house at the Derryboye Road in Raffrey.
The cocaine was discovered during the search of the property near Crossgar last Thursday night, with officers seizing cocaine with an estimated street value of around £140,000.
Three men, aged 49, 47 and 31 respectively, along with a 30 year-old woman, subsequently appeared at Ards Magistrate’s Court charged with possession of a Class A drug, possession with intent to supply, and conspiracy to supply.
The discovery of the drugs has been welcomed by Rowallane councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews.
Councillor Walker praised the operation by the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch which led to the discovery of the cocaine which will not find its way onto the streets.
“Given the recent deaths of a number of people in the Belfast area which have been linked to drug abuse, many will heave a huge sigh of relief at this discovery at the Derryboye Road,” he said.
“This would appear to be a carefully planned operation and the PSNI deserves credit for retrieving such a large amount of cocaine.”
Councillor Walker is also urging the judiciary to send out a strong message when sentences are being handed out to people convicted of drugs offences.
“There needs to be a strong deterrent in place so people will not get involved in the drugs trade,” he added.
Councillor Andrews also praised the PSNI operation and said he was pleased the cocaine had been taken out of circulation.
“Drugs ruin people’s lives and the fact such a significant amount has been discovered by police will obviously be a significant blow to unscrupulous people who involved in this shady business,” he added.