Police Service of Northern Ireland. Police Recorded Drug Seizures and Arrests in Northern Ireland: Update to 30 September 2018

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1 Police Service of Northern Ireland Police Recorded Drug Seizures and Arrests in Northern Ireland: Update to Published 31 October 1

2 Police Recorded Drug Seizures and Arrests in Northern Ireland Published 31 October This bulletin provides the most recent statistics on drug seizures and arrests recorded by the police in Northern Ireland to. Figures from 1 April are provisional and will be subject to until the finalised /19 figures are published in May 219. The bulletin includes details of the number of drug seizure incidents, the weight or quantity of drugs seized by drug type and format and the number of persons arrested for drug offences. All statistics referred to in this bulletin, along with supplementary information are available in the accompanying excel spreadsheet which can be downloaded from the PSNI Drug Seizure Statistics website. Definition of a drug seizure incident: The definition of a drug seizure is a drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) which is seized, recovered, found by the PSNI (including intercepted in the post), found on the person, in a vehicle etc. It also includes drugs found in a public open space or elsewhere and which are handed into the police. Please note that the drugs seized by the Border Force are published quarterly by the Home Office as Border Force transparency data, with Border Force seizures in each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland presented separately. Border Force seizures within Northern Ireland are not presented in this bulletin. Belfast City policing district breakdown: While being only one policing district, Belfast City accounts for approximately 3 per cent of all drug seizure incidents recorded in Northern Ireland. It includes four local policing teams based in Lisburn Road (South), Tennent Street (North), Strandtown (East) and Woodbourne (West). To assist in the understanding of the statistics, drug seizure incidents and arrests have been captured at this geographic level from the start of 216/17. Contents Page Overview 2 Section 1 Seizure Incidents 2 Section 2 Quantities of Drugs Seized: Comparison of the with the 4 Section 3 Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Statistics 5 Section 4 Drug-Related Arrests 6 Appendices 7 Notes 9 Figures, Tables and Charts Page Table 1 Key statistics for drug seizure incidents, commercial cultivation of cannabis and drug 2 arrests in the Figure 1 Drug seizure incidents since 26/7 2 Figure 2 Number of drug seizure incidents by month in the 2 Figure 3 Number of drug seizure incidents by drug type in the 3 Figure 4 Number of drug seizure incidents by policing district in the 3 Table 2 Incidents involving the commercial cultivation of cannabis in the 3 5 September Table 3 Cannabis farm discoveries by policing district in the 5 Figure 5 Drug-related arrests since 26/7 6 Figure 6 Number of drug-related arrests by month in the Table 4 Drug seizure incidents by type and format in the Table 5 Quantity of drugs seized by type and format in the Table 6 Number of drug seizures and arrests by policing district in the

3 Number of drug seizure incidents Number of drug seizure incidents Overview Table 1: Key statistics for drug seizure incidents, commercial cultivation of cannabis and drug arrests in the between years % between years Drug seizure incidents 6,22 6, Incidents classified as cannabis farms Drug-related arrests 2,841 3, Section 1 Seizure Incidents In the, there were 6,771 drug seizure incidents in Northern Ireland, an increase of 8.9% on the 6,22 seizure incidents recorded in the previous 12 months. [Table 1] With the exception of 216/17, the number of drug seizure incidents has increased year on year, with the level in /18 more than double that seen in 26/7. At 6,771, the number of seizure incidents in the September shows a fall of 11 on the /18 level. [Figure 1]. In-year seizure incidents are provisional, as all records from 1 st April are subject to ongoing validation and quality assurance processes. Further seizures will also be added to the current figures as additional seizure details are identified, in particular for the most recent months. [Figure 2] Sustained high levels of drug seizure incidents reflect the proactive work by all elements within the PSNI in response to community concern about drugs. They may also be an indication of a in the nature of the drugs market, including increased accessibility from sources such as dark web purchase and postal delivery. Figure 1: Drug seizure incidents since 26/7 8, 7, 6,872 6,771 6, 5, 4, 3, 2,59 2,968 3,198 3,319 3,564 3,92 4,474 4,825 5,14 5,597 5,546 2, 1, 26/7 27/8 28/9 29/1 21/11 211/12 212/13 213/14 214/15 215/16 216/17 /18 12 months to Sep Figure 2: Number of drug seizure incidents by month in the compared with the previous 12 months Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'16 to Sep'17 Oct'17 to Sep'18 2

4 Number of drug seizure incidents Number of drug seizure incidents Seizure Incidents by Drug Type: Comparison of the with the 12 months to Cannabis (Class B) was the most commonly seized drug over the past 12 months, with 5,56 seizures. This is 358 (7.6%) more seizure incidents than in the previous 12 months. [Figure 3] The second most commonly seized drug was cocaine (Class A). There were 949 incidents involving the seizure of cocaine in the, a 19.4% increase on the 795 seizure incidents during the previous 12 months. [Figure 3]. Benzodiazepine seizures accounted for the third largest number of seizure incidents over the past 12 months with 798 seizures, 7 (9.6%) more than during the previous 12 months. The most commonly seized benzodiazepine was diazepam (573 incidents). [Figure 3 & accompanying spreadsheet] Further information of seizure incidents by drug type is available in the accompanying spreadsheet. Figure 3: Number of drug seizure incidents by drug type in the compared with the previous 12 months 6, 5, 4, 4,698 5,56 3, 2, 1, Cocaine (Class A) Ecstasy / MDMA (Class A) LSD (Class A) Opiates (Class A) 31 January 95 Amphetamines (Class B) Cannabis (Class B) 31 January 22 8 Psychoactive Substances (Class B) Benzodiazepines (Class C) Other Drugs Note: A seizure incident can involve more than one drug type, seizure figures for individual drugs cannot be added together to produce totals. Seizure Incidents by Police District: Comparison of the with the 12 months to The largest number of seizure incidents occurred in Belfast City policing district with 2,17 incidents recorded, followed by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (614), Derry City & Strabane (599), and Lisburn & Castlereagh City (587). [Figure 4] Seven of the 11 policing districts had increases in the number of seizure incidents, with the largest increase occurring in Belfast City (199), followed by 115 in Mid & East Antrim and 113 in Derry City & Strabane. Amongst the 4 policing districts with decreases, Ards & North Down showed the greatest fall (3). [Figure 4] Drug seizure incidents in all four Belfast City local policing teams showed an increase in the latest 12 months; South (Lisburn Road) increased by 91, North (Tennent Street), increased by 9, West (Woodbourne) increased by 9 and East (Strandtown) increased by 6. [accompanying spreadsheet]. Figure 4: Number of drug seizure incidents by policing district in the 2,5 2,17 2, 1,98 1,5 1, Belfast City Lisburn & Castlereagh City Ards & North Down Newry, Mourne & Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Mid Ulster Fermanagh & Omagh Derry City & Strabane Causeway Coast & Glens Mid & East Antrim Antrim & Newtownabbey 3

5 Section 2 Quantities of Drugs Seized: Comparison of the with the Class A The quantities of both formats of cocaine seized dropped, with powder falling from 39.1kg to 31.kg and wraps from 119 to 84. [Table 5] The quantities of all formats of ecstasy increased; powder increased from.6kg to 1.86kg, tablets from 4,864 to 7,82 and wraps from 2 to 26. [Table 5] For LSD, quantities of microdots and tablets seized increased, whilst there was no for powder. Microdots increased from 83 to 1,79 while tablets increased from 24 to 61. [Table 5] Most formats of opiates (class A) experienced a reduction in quantity seized. These included ampoules, volume of liquids (categorised as Millilitres ), powder, patches and wraps. Only tablets and twists showed any increase. [Table 5] Class B For cannabis most of the increase in quantities seized came from herbal cannabis which increased from 155.7kg to 422.5kg. Cannabis oil rose from.5kg to 3.2kg and cannabis plants from 2,672 to 3,376. Seizures quantities fell for both cannabis capsules (from 212 to 134) and cannabis resin (from 87.7kg to 21.9kg). [Table 5] Quantities of seized amphetamines increased for all formats, with powder increasing from.5kg to 22.8kg, tablets from 27 to 38 and wraps from 9 to 1. [Table 5] There was.1kg of psychoactive stimulants powder seized, a fall from.9kg in the previous 12 months. There were no seizures of other formats. [Table 5] Class C The quantity of benzodiazepine powder fell from 2.2kg to.5kg, whilst the number of tablets seized fell from 125,1 to 19,748. [Table 5] The number of diazepam tablets seized fell from 17,116 to 51,998, while the number of tablets identified as other benzodiazepines increased from 17,753 to 57,565. Alprazolam was the most commonly seized other benzodiazepine tablet. [Table 7, accompanying spreadsheet] Other controlled drugs Some of the controlled substances recovered are classified to Other Drugs due to having been less commonly seized in Northern Ireland or because of their novel nature. The most significant s were the large increases in the numbers of Other ampoules (from 663 to 13,79) and Other tablets (from 18,58 to 99,888) being seized. All of the seized ampoules were steroids, while the most common drugs contained in the tablets were steroids, clenbuterol and tramadol. [Table 7, accompanying spreadsheet] Not all drugs are tested to authenticate substances. When testing is not applied, the drug seizure statistics are classified in accordance with the investigating officer s assessment of the drug type seized based on their experience and knowledge of the illegal drug trade in Northern Ireland. 4

6 Section 3 Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Statistics Incidents Involving the Seizure of Cannabis Plants by PSNI: Comparison of the 3 September with the Of all incidents involving the seizure of cannabis plants or cannabis cultivation equipment in the 3 September, 22 were classified as a cannabis farm as per the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) definition 1. This is a fall of 6 on the previous 12 month period ending, when 28 incidents were classified as a cannabis farm. [Table 2] In the past 12 months, 18 of those incidents involved the recovery of 25 plants or more, while 4 incidents involved the discovery of fewer than 25 plants but in locations that were deemed, due to the equipment recovered, to qualify as cannabis farms as per the NPCC definition. [Table 2] Table 2: Incidents involving the commercial cultivation of cannabis in the Cases where 25 plants or more were seized Cases where no plants or less than 25 plants were seized and factory equipment was recovered Total number of incidents classified as cannabis farms Cannabis Farm Discoveries by Policing District: Comparison of the with the The highest numbers of cannabis farms discovered by the PSNI during the period ending were in Belfast City, Lisburn & Castlereagh City, Ards & North Down and Causeway Coast & Glens policing districts with 4 discoveries each. [Table 3] Of the 11 policing districts 6 have seen a decrease in the number of cannabis farms discovered in the past 12 months when. In Antrim & Newtownabbey policing district there was no and in the remaining 4 policing districts there was a slight increase. [Table 3] Table 3: Cannabis farm discoveries by policing district in the compared with the previous 12 months Policing Area Belfast City Lisburn & Castlereagh City Ards & North Down Newry, Mourne & Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Mid Ulster Fermanagh & Omagh 1-1 Derry City & Strabane 2-2 Causeway Coast & Glens Mid & East Antrim Antrim & Newtownabbey 1 1 Northern Ireland NPCC definition: Cultivation of cannabis should be regarded as commercial if: Twenty-five or more cannabis plants, at any stage of growth, are being or have been grown OR Any premises shall be deemed a cannabis farm if the premises, or part therein, have been adapted to such an extent that normal usage would be inhibited and usually present within the premises, or part therein, are items solely concerned for the production of cannabis, i.e.: hydroponics system, high intensity lighting, ventilation/extraction fans, any other associated equipment, and/or abstraction of electricity. 5

7 Number of drug-related arrests Number of drug-related arrests Section 4 Drug-Related Arrests A drug-related arrest is counted when a person is arrested and processed through custody for one or more drugrelated offences. This is a count of custody records and not persons; a person may have been arrested on more than one occasion during the time periods presented in this section. In the, there were 3,31 drug-related arrests, an increase of 469 (16.5%) relative to the previous. [Table 1] The number of arrests for drug offences has increased most years since 26/7. The level of 3,31 in the 12 months to is the highest recorded since 26/7. [Figure 5] The number of drug-related arrests in the ranged from 232 in January to 39 in November, the highest monthly level in the past 24 months. By comparison, the number of arrests in the ranged from 28 in January to 273 in September. [Figure 6] Overall, the number of drug-related arrests was higher for 11 of the months of the period ending when compared with the corresponding months in the previous 12 months, with the remaining month, September showing a slight decrease. In particular, the largest increases were seen in November (from 212 to 39), December (from 234 to 298) and May (from 222 to 283). [Figure 6] The number of arrests for drug offences in the increased amongst all policing districts, except for Fermanagh & Omagh were there was a slight decrease from 192 to 17. Drug-related arrests for the ranged from 132 in Mid Ulster to 1,19 in Belfast City. The breakdown for Belfast City policing district during this time period was South (539), North (331), West (164) and East (156). [Table 6] Figure 5: Drug-related arrests since 26/7 3,5 3, 2,5 2, 1,726 1,896 2,14 2,25 2,435 2,543 2,784 2,867 2,831 2,953 2,72 3,121 3,31 1,5 1, 5 26/7 27/8 28/9 29/1 21/11 211/12 212/13 213/14 214/15 215/16 216/17 /18 12 months to Sep Figure 6: Number of drug-related arrests by month in the compared with the previous 12 months Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'16 to Sep'17 Oct'17 to Sep'18 6

8 Appendices Table 4: Drug seizure incidents by type and format in the compared with the previous 12 months Drugs Seized 1 Number of Incidents 3 7 Cocaine (Class A) Powder Wraps Ecstasy (Class A) Powder Tablets Wraps LSD (Class A) Microdots Powder 1 1 Tablets 7 7 Opiates (Class A) Ampoules 2-2 Millilitres Patches 9 9 Powder Tablets 6 6 Twists Wraps Amphetamine (Class B) Powder Tablets Wraps Cannabis (Class B) Capsules Herbal 3,882 4, Joints Oil Plants Resin Psychoactive Stimulants (Class B) Millilitres Powder Tablets Wraps 1-1 Benzodiazepines (Class C) Powder Tablets Other Drugs² Ampoules Crystals Herbal Microdots 1-1 Millilitres Patches Powder Psilocin 4-4 Tablets Wraps Not all drug seizures are subject to forensic testing to officially confirm the drug type seized. When testing is not applied, the PSNI s drug seizure statistics are classified in accordance with the investigating officer s assessment of the drug type seized based on their experience and knowledge of the illegal drug trade in Northern Ireland. 2 Other drugs include anabolic steroids, buprenorphine, GHB, ketamine, khat, piperazines, tramadol, zopiclone and magic mushrooms. 3 As each seizure incident can involve more than one drug type, seizure figures for individual drugs cannot be added together to produce totals.

9 Table 5: Quantity of drugs seized by type and format in the compared with the previous 12 months Drugs Seized 1 Quantities Cocaine (Class A) Powder (kg) Wraps Ecstasy (Class A) Powder (gms) , ,258. Tablets 4,864 7,82 2,956 Wraps LSD (Class A) Microdots 83 1, Powder (gms).5.5. Tablets Opiates (Class A) Ampoules Millilitres Patches Powder (kg) Tablets Twists Wraps Amphetamine (Class B) Powder (kg) Tablets Wraps Cannabis (Class B) Capsules Herbal (kg) Joints Oil (gms) Plants 2,672 3, Resin (kg) Psychoactive Stimulants (Class B) Millilitres... Powder (kg) Tablets.. Wraps Benzodiazepines (Class C) Powder (gms) Tablets 125,1 19,748-15,352 Other Drugs² Ampoules ,79 13,127 Crystals (gms)... Herbal (gms) Microdots Millilitres Patches Powder (kg) Psilocin Tablets 18,58 99,888 81,38 Wraps Note: In this table, where the weight of drugs seized is., this means the weight seized was less.5 grams, Mls or kgs while. indicates that no drugs were seized. More detailed information on the drugs and quantities seized is published in the supporting spreadsheet. 1 Not all drug seizures are subject to forensic testing to officially confirm the drug type seized. When testing is not applied, the PSNI s drug seizure statistics are classified in accordance with the investigating officer s assessment of the drug type seized based on their experience and knowledge of the illegal drug trade in Northern Ireland. 2 Other drugs include anabolic steroids, buprenorphine, GHB, ketamine, khat, piperazines, tramadol, zopiclone and magic mushrooms. 8

10 Table 6: Number of drug seizures and arrests by policing district in the Seizure Incidents Arrests Belfast City: of which 1,98 2, , East North South West Lisburn & Castlereagh City Ards & North Down Newry, Mourne & Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Mid Ulster Fermanagh & Omagh Derry City & Strabane Causeway Coast & Glens Mid & East Antrim Antrim & Newtownabbey Northern Ireland 6,22 6, ,841 3, Belfast City policing district has four local policing teams based in Lisburn Road (South), Tennent Street (North), Strandtown (East) and Woodbourne (West). Notes Statistics on drug seizures are based on electronic and paper returns that are completed by police officers when they make a drug seizure. The statistics are checked for completeness with local districts and with the PSNI Organised Crime Branch and are also cross-referenced against other internal records of drug seizures. Not all drugs are tested to authenticate substances. When testing is not applied, the PSNI s drug seizure statistics are classified in accordance with the investigating officer s assessment of the drug type seized based on their experience and knowledge of the illegal drug trade in Northern Ireland. The statistics contained in this bulletin are based on drug seizures that were recorded by the police. As a result, increases or decreases in the quantity and type of drugs seized along with drug-related arrests can be affected by specific targeted police operations thus accounting for some of the year on year variations (i.e. increased police enforcement action can result in increased seizures and arrests). Also, not all drug use will come to the attention of the police and therefore these statistics should be considered along with other measures of drug prevalence in Northern Ireland for users to get a more comprehensive overview of the drug situation in Northern Ireland. Copies of this bulletin are available from the PSNI website. Change to policing boundaries as a result of implementing the Review of Public Administration: As part of the Review of Public Administration which came into effect on 1 April 215, PSNI moved from eight to eleven policing districts, with the new policing model becoming fully operational at the end of September 215. Publications: Annual reports are available back to 23/4 on the PSNI website. Statistics on drug seizures by type and format at policing district level are published separately in the accompanying excel spreadsheet. We welcome comment and feedback on these statistics. If you would like to forward your views, receive notification of new publications, be kept informed of developments relating to PSNI statistics or for further information about drug seizure statistics for Northern Ireland, contact PSNI Statistics Branch: - statistics@psni.police.uk; Write to - Drug Seizure Statistician, PSNI Statistics Branch, Lisnasharragh, 42 Montgomery Road, Belfast, BT6 9LD; or Telephone ext