Man to appear in court following £100,000 cannabis discovery in Culloville

A 38-year-old man faces charges including possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class B controlled drug, cultivating cannabis, being concerned in the supply of a Class B controlled drug and being concerned in the production of a Class B controlled drug.

He is expected to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 9. As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

The charges follow the search of a property in the Culloville area on Monday, January 8, during which officers located cannabis plants and dried cannabis with a combined estimated street value of approximately £100,000.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Adam Corner said: “This search, arrest and seizure is a result of the public working directly with police to tackle the issue of drug supply and misuse in the South Armagh area.

"I am confident that this result will not only show our community we are keen to listen to their concerns, but will show we can take action to prevent those who bring harm to our community.

"If you have information about the supply of drugs please contact police on 101 or speak to a Slieve Gullion Neighbourhood Police Officer. Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

Speaking following the discovery, Slieve Gullion area Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Finnegan said that the news that the drugs had been taken off the streets would be welcomed by everyone.

"The fact that these drugs will now not find their way into the criminal supply chain is good news,” she said.

"Drugs and the associated criminality destroy our communities and have blighted many lives.

“I would encourage anyone with information on the supply of illegal drugs to bring it forward to the PSNI.”