Man Charged With Carrying A Loaded Firearm In Public

A 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with a firearm-related incident in the Cliftonville Road area of north Belfast on Monday morning, 29th May.

The man has been charged with a number of offences including, possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances, carrying a firearm with ammunition in a public place and possession of a loaded firearm whilst drunk or under the influence of drugs.

He appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court this morning, Tuesday 30th May.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

In a follow-up investigation, detectives carried out searches at a house in the north Belfast area on Monday evening, 29th May and uncovered a number of other items.

A quantity of suspected Class B and Class C controlled drugs and drug-related paraphernalia were seized from the property. They have been taken away for forensic examination.

A 26-year-old man was arrested at the property on suspicion of possession of a Class C controlled drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class B controlled drug and possession of a Class C controlled drug.

He has since been released on bail to allow for further police enquiries to take place as the investigation continues.

Commenting, Detective Inspector Tom Phillips said: "These arrests are the result of information from the public and the rapid response of Local Policing Teams from Tennent Street police station.

"I would thank those who reported their concerns as quickly as they did, resulting in a suspected firearm, ammunition, and a significant quantity of suspected drugs being removed from the streets of Belfast."

Anyone with any concerns about drugs or other suspected criminality in their local area should contact police on 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.