PSNI sniffer dogs patrol Belfast bus and train stations "to detect and deter drug misuse"

Police say they are deploying sniffer dogs "spontaneously" across Belfast bus and train stations to "detect and deter drug misuse". PSNI chief constable, Jon Boutcher, warned in February the island of Ireland has become an "affluent place" for drugs gangs to target.

He said at the annual cross-border conference on organised crime in Co Cavan: "We are seen to these organised crime groups as a wealthy country, an affluent place, and that is shown even in terms of the cocaine use that there is an Ireland.

"Cocaine use is proportionate to the prosperity of a nation and therefore we are a target, so that’s one of the principal challenges."

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Last year a man was barred from Europa bus station after allegedly offering a security guard MDMA.

The PSNI has said the Safe Transport Team and the Dog Unit are conducting patrols in Europa Bus Station and the Great Northern Mall. A spokesperson added: "During these patrols, and thanks to assistance from Police Dog Acer, one male was stopped and searched where a quantity of suspected Herbal Cannabis was located and seized. The male was issued a Community Resolution Notice for Possession of Class B Drugs.

"Patrols such as these will take place spontaneously across Belfast Bus and Train stations in an effort to detect and deter drug misuse."

According to the latest official statistics, there were 154 drug-related deaths registered in Northern Ireland in 2022.

We reported a number of years ago how a Belfast city councillor said heroin addicts in the city were being supplied via drug mules on buses and trains.

Police said at the time they are aware most of Northern Ireland's drugs come from the Republic and mainland UK and that tackling supply routes is a priority.

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