By Callum McGuigan
FERMANAGH residents have raised concerns over the amount of drug seizures in the district, following a number of recent seizures of Class A and B substances.
On Sunday evening police arrested a man for alleged road traffic offences in Tempo and had a warrant to search his house.
Found inside was a quantity of suspected cocaine, MDMA and cannabis.
The man was further arrested for possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of drugs.
Also over the weekend, police on patrol in Enniskillen town centre made a number of stop-and-searches, uncovering numerous bags of suspected cocaine.
The incidents come as the lastest police figures show from October 2024 to September of this year there have been 369 drug seizures across the Fermanagh and Omagh policing district.
This forms part of the total 7,082 seizures across the North in the same time period. However overall drug seizures have decreased by 571 since the 2023-24 period.
Similarly there were 76 drug-related arrests in Fermanagh and Omagh in the same period, 16 less than the year prior.
Ulster Unionist Party Councillor John McClaughrey highlighted that many of the drug arrests in Tempo were from people who had moved in.
“A few residents have came to me about their concerns at the amount of seizures and arrests in the village,” he said. “However many of the recent incidents have been from people who have moved in to use the village as a ‘base’.”
Cllr McClaughry added, “It is part of a cultural trend. Beforehand it would have just been major urban areas before the drugs filtered into Enniskillen and Omagh but now its flooding into our towns and villages.
“I would encourage residents to report any suspicious activity or sightings to the police so they can start enquiries and put a stop the distribution of drugs locally,” said Cllr McClaughrey.
Local Inspector Gary Irvine said, “As members of our community, your vigilance and willingness to speak up and provide us with information can make a real difference, and allow us to best target our resources in areas where they are most needed.”
