Seized Money Donated To Drugs Charity

Over £4,000 seized in a Northern Ireland drug probe has been donated to a local addiction charity.

Action on Substances through Community Engagement & Related Training (ASCERT) provides intervention services to those impacted by alcohol and drug related issues in Northern Ireland. The £4,510 will go towards some of the 4,000 local individuals and families supported by the charity each year.

The money was seized during a police probe into the activities of a drug dealer, however it will now be put towards positive actions by the charity after a subsequent court case found it was subject to a disposal of cash order.

Speaking of the donation, Detective Inspector Pete Mullan of the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch said: "We are delighted this money is going to a good cause and will serve ASCERT well in their continuing work to tackle the blight of drugs and alcohol misuse in our community.

"This money has been taken from a convicted drug dealer who did not care about the misery he caused to those he preyed upon. It is therefore fitting that it will now be used to benefit those in most need."

CEO of ASCERT, Gary McMichael welcomed the donation, saying: "The impact of substance misuse can be devastating for the people using drugs and also those around them in their family or community. It is vital that there are services like ours available to provide help when people need it and we will use this funding to help us reach even more people in need and to address the impact of drugs on our communities."



(JG/CM)