Two people from Belfast were sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court on Wednesday 30 September for a series of drug-related offences uncovered by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch.

Caolen Herald, 26, and Roise Stone, 24, faced charges linked to an investigation carried out by the Organised Crime Branch.

The operation, which began on Saturday 6 January 2024, led to the recovery of £260,820 in cash and cocaine with an estimated street value of £100,000.

Officers seized the items from a vehicle in which Herald and Stone were travelling on the A1 southbound between Hillsborough and Dromore.

Herald received a six-and-a-half year sentence, serving half in custody and half on probation. On release from prison, he will also be subject to a three-year Serious Crime Prevention Order.

He was convicted of offences including possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class A drug, possession of criminal property, two counts of transferring criminal property, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and conspiracy to import a Class A drug.

Stone was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, suspended for three years.

She was convicted of offences including possession of a Class A drug, being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, and transferring criminal property.

Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney, said: "Shortly after 8:35am, officers stopped and searched a black Seat Leon that was travelling along the A1 Southbound between Hillsborough and Dromore.

"Roise Stone, who was the owner of the car was driving, and Caolen Herald was in the front passenger seat. "A search of the vehicle was conducted. In the rear foot well behind the passenger seat there was a pink and white bag containing a large brown parcel – inside was the cocaine, sealed with clear plastic, packaging tape and black rubber.

"On the rear passenger seat was a large bag containing a number of smaller carrier bags with a total of £260,820 cash inside.

"Follow up searches at two houses in the west Belfast area also led to the recovery of further cash and quantities of cocaine."

Detective Inspector Sweeney added: "Today's sentencings are a reflection of our ongoing commitment to bring those involved in criminal activity to justice.

"Caolen Herald was involved in the supply of drugs at a high level; he was not just a simple courier.

"He was caught by investigating police in possession of both a large quantity of cocaine and a large amount of cash.

"People who see this type of criminality as a way to make money should note the time in prison Mr Herald will have to spend and I would hope this will have a deterrent effect.

"The PSNI's Organised Crime Unit will continue to remove drugs from our streets, seize criminal cash and assets from drug dealers and ensure those dealers face the consequences of their actions through the criminal justice system.

"However, to do so we rely on the help of the community. Anyone with any information about this type of criminality should contact police on 101"

"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/"