Menu
02/07/2024
Woman Jailed Over £3.3m Cannabis Seizure
A 40-year-old woman has been sentenced to a total of 3 years and 9 months in connection with the seizure of cannabis worth £3.3 million in Belfast and Heathrow Airport in 2020.
Yingle Jiang had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of Class B controlled drugs, removing and attempting to remove criminal property, and also encouraging or assisting offences under the Serious Crime Act.
At Belfast Crown Court, she was sentenced to a total of three years and nine months and was ordered to serve one year in prison – with the remainder of her sentence to be spent on licence.
Welcoming the sentencing, Detective Inspector Kelly of the Organised Crime Unit said: "Jiang was identified as a significant member of an organised crime gang behind a number of large cash and drug transactions.
"In May 2020, £50,000 was recovered in Belfast concealed within a rice cooker, while a further £50,000 was seized by officers from West Midlands Police in Birmingham, also concealed within a rice cooker, originating from Belfast.
"Then in June of the same year a pallet of music speakers containing cannabis with a potential street value of £1.4 million was intercepted in Heathrow Airport destined for an address in east Belfast.
"In July 2020 cannabis with a potential street value of £1.9 million was recovered from a house in east Belfast.
"The drugs were sent from Birmingham and concealed within speakers - two people were arrested at that location.
"A month later, detectives conducted searches of three properties in south and east Belfast, and located a further quantity of cannabis and a large amount of cash. Jiang and another man were arrested on that occasion."
Detective Inspector Kelly continued: "Today’s sentencing demonstrates our ongoing commitment to prevent the supply of illegal drugs and to prosecute those criminals involved in the supply of illegal drugs.
"Detectives worked tirelessly to detect this criminality and identify those involved – subsequently bringing a full evidential package before the court.
"These drugs would have made their way to other criminal gangs across Northern Ireland and, by the onward supply and profiteering, increased their grip on the community.
"Drug gangs prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities with the sole aim of maintaining their lifestyle and status."
Information from the public is crucial in helping us tackle the scourge of drugs and removing those who supply drugs from our streets.
Information can be given directly to police by calling 101 or online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
Alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Yingle Jiang had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of Class B controlled drugs, removing and attempting to remove criminal property, and also encouraging or assisting offences under the Serious Crime Act.
At Belfast Crown Court, she was sentenced to a total of three years and nine months and was ordered to serve one year in prison – with the remainder of her sentence to be spent on licence.
Welcoming the sentencing, Detective Inspector Kelly of the Organised Crime Unit said: "Jiang was identified as a significant member of an organised crime gang behind a number of large cash and drug transactions.
"In May 2020, £50,000 was recovered in Belfast concealed within a rice cooker, while a further £50,000 was seized by officers from West Midlands Police in Birmingham, also concealed within a rice cooker, originating from Belfast.
"Then in June of the same year a pallet of music speakers containing cannabis with a potential street value of £1.4 million was intercepted in Heathrow Airport destined for an address in east Belfast.
"In July 2020 cannabis with a potential street value of £1.9 million was recovered from a house in east Belfast.
"The drugs were sent from Birmingham and concealed within speakers - two people were arrested at that location.
"A month later, detectives conducted searches of three properties in south and east Belfast, and located a further quantity of cannabis and a large amount of cash. Jiang and another man were arrested on that occasion."
Detective Inspector Kelly continued: "Today’s sentencing demonstrates our ongoing commitment to prevent the supply of illegal drugs and to prosecute those criminals involved in the supply of illegal drugs.
"Detectives worked tirelessly to detect this criminality and identify those involved – subsequently bringing a full evidential package before the court.
"These drugs would have made their way to other criminal gangs across Northern Ireland and, by the onward supply and profiteering, increased their grip on the community.
"Drug gangs prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities with the sole aim of maintaining their lifestyle and status."
Information from the public is crucial in helping us tackle the scourge of drugs and removing those who supply drugs from our streets.
Information can be given directly to police by calling 101 or online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
Alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 February 2017
Two Men Charged Over Suspected Drugs Find
Two men have been charged in connection with a suspected drugs find in Belfast. Police seized cocaine and herbal cannabis, worth an estimated street value of £160,000, after stopping a car in the Duncrue Street area on Wednesday night, 08 February.
Two Men Charged Over Suspected Drugs Find
Two men have been charged in connection with a suspected drugs find in Belfast. Police seized cocaine and herbal cannabis, worth an estimated street value of £160,000, after stopping a car in the Duncrue Street area on Wednesday night, 08 February.
20 June 2019
Man Jailed For Drugs Offences
A Newtownabbey man has been handed a custodial sentence for a series of drugs offences following police raids as part of a paramilitary probe. 49-year-old William Axon will serve two years imprisonment, half in custody and half on licence.
Man Jailed For Drugs Offences
A Newtownabbey man has been handed a custodial sentence for a series of drugs offences following police raids as part of a paramilitary probe. 49-year-old William Axon will serve two years imprisonment, half in custody and half on licence.
25 February 2014
Two Men Charged Over North Belfast Attack
Two men have been charged in connection with an assault in north Belfast. The incident, which happened on Sunday, left a man in a critical condition in hospital. On Sunday, four men were attacked on the Antrim Road and a 24-year-old suffered serious head injuries. The other three men did not need hospital treatment.
Two Men Charged Over North Belfast Attack
Two men have been charged in connection with an assault in north Belfast. The incident, which happened on Sunday, left a man in a critical condition in hospital. On Sunday, four men were attacked on the Antrim Road and a 24-year-old suffered serious head injuries. The other three men did not need hospital treatment.
01 August 2023
Cannabis Worth £1.5m Seized In South Belfast
Cannabis worth an estimated £1.5 million has been seized by PSNI detectives in south Belfast operation. Officers from the Organised Crime Branch carried out an operation on the morning of Monday 31 July.
Cannabis Worth £1.5m Seized In South Belfast
Cannabis worth an estimated £1.5 million has been seized by PSNI detectives in south Belfast operation. Officers from the Organised Crime Branch carried out an operation on the morning of Monday 31 July.
18 October 2023
£260,000 Worth Of Cannabis Seized In Belfast Searches
Cannabis with a potential street value of £260,000 has been seized in an organized PSNI search operation across Belfast on Tuesday, 17 October. Detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit based in Belfast, assisted by members of the Tactical Support Group, conducted searches at four premises across Belfast.
£260,000 Worth Of Cannabis Seized In Belfast Searches
Cannabis with a potential street value of £260,000 has been seized in an organized PSNI search operation across Belfast on Tuesday, 17 October. Detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit based in Belfast, assisted by members of the Tactical Support Group, conducted searches at four premises across Belfast.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
