19/03/2026
West Belfast Man Sentenced For Offering To Supply Class C Drugs
A 52-year-old man from west Belfast has been sentenced for his involvement in the supply of illegal substances.
Ian Cotter appeared in court in relation to four counts of offering to supply Class C controlled drugs. He was handed a two-month custodial sentence, which has been suspended for three years.
The charges arose from an investigation conducted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Serious Crime Branch. The offences were originally detected in May 2024 as part of a wider probe into drug-related criminality linked to the New IRA.
Detective Chief Inspector McCallum, from the Serious Crime Branch, stated: "The offences were detected in May 2024 as part of an investigation by Serious Crime Branch Detectives into drugs criminality linked to the New IRA.
"We recognise the harm that illegal drugs can cause communities and we are committed to tackling issues of serious crime in our community.
"I would encourage anyone with information that could assist in our efforts to contact us on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/."
Members of the public can also provide information anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website at crimestoppers-uk.org/.
Ian Cotter appeared in court in relation to four counts of offering to supply Class C controlled drugs. He was handed a two-month custodial sentence, which has been suspended for three years.
The charges arose from an investigation conducted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Serious Crime Branch. The offences were originally detected in May 2024 as part of a wider probe into drug-related criminality linked to the New IRA.
"We recognise the harm that illegal drugs can cause communities and we are committed to tackling issues of serious crime in our community.
"I would encourage anyone with information that could assist in our efforts to contact us on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/."
Members of the public can also provide information anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website at crimestoppers-uk.org/.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.