Drug Peddlers Flee North Belfast

From The Starry Plough
Apr. 2002

According to a report in the North Belfast News recently the I.N.L.A. have been responsible for the destruction of a major drugs ring in North Belfast and in the process uncovered evidence of widespread solvent abuse involving adults selling glue to children for £3 a bag.

As part of the major investigation drugs uncovered by the INLA were cannabis, speed, cocaine and ecstasy. The tools of the dealers trade included guns, crossbows and various knives. As a result of this action a number of dealers have left the area.

The INLA has identified 24 small-time dealers in North Belfast, a number of whom have been visited in recent weeks. One of the main players in the network of drugs godfathers operating out of North Belfast include a drug dealer who is originally from Carrickhill and a former associate of Paul Daly who was shot dead in May 2001.

The dealer, who gets his drugs from a criminal with UDA connections in Antrim, has claimed in the past to have links with the Continuity IRA - a claim rubbished by the group.

The evil dealer is alleged to have bombed his own home last year in a ploy to get out of North Belfast where he lived, and has since moved to Newtownabbey.

He heads a network of around ten dealers who sell the drugs in the local community.

Paul Little, IRSP spokesman in North Belfast, said, "There is a major drugs problem and it is having a detrimental effect on our youth.

"It has gone unchallenged and we have allowed this drug culture, which is vibrant among young people to go unabated,"

And he concluded, "The IRSP view is that users are victims but there is a zero tolerance to drug dealers."

Last update: 4/28/02; 8:43:56 AM.