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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

Calls for push against "untouchable" drug lords ruining estates

Local people in Coleraine have told Belfast Live they are sick of the destruction drug dealers are bringing to the Ballysally area of the town.

It follows numerous violent attacks within a roughly two-mile area in the town since April.

Sources have told Belfast Live that the majority of those attacks have been linked to the drug trade.

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One source, who knows the estates in the town well, said there was one notorious drug dealer in particular who seemed to never face consequences for his criminality.

"I've seen this going on for eight years, the same people who have been dealing drugs in this town are still here and they're still untouchable," they said.

"I know one of these guys was pulling in £100,000 a month at one stage, that's £1.2m a year.

"He has 40 runners working for him in the estates and that's why his hands never appear on anything.

"He thinks he's invincible, that he can do whatever he wants.

"The people here hate the sight of these guys, they've never worked a day in their life."

The source went on to say that certain drugs were tearing communities apart, despite the best efforts of hardworking community representatives to present a more positive vision for the area.

"The cocaine is the big rip at the minute though - I've been in bars around the town and there are young ones at it now," they added.

"That's what happens when these guys are allowed to sell drugs on the streets.

"There is a tacit approval from the community for paramilitaries putting drug dealers out - they'll not say it but there's an approval for it.

"It's UDA that's doing it, as far as I'm aware.

"I would say 90% of it is all about drugs and drug-dealing."

The person said there needed to be concerted efforts to try and wrest back control of the areas.

"My fear is that it's a wee one that's going to be killed," they said.

"It's a struggle getting any money into these places as well.

"It's a many-headed monster but the police need to start making moves against these guys."

There have been a number of attacks in Coleraine in August alone and the source said the biggest dealer in the town was targeting runners from when they are young.

"The basic runner here will be on £500-600 a week and they'll be bought a car and the main guy here will get them through the test, get them their license," they said.

"Then they'll pay the car back through what they're getting.

Police - stock (Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

"They're not going to be in McDonalds or ASDA working when they can make money like that."

Residents in the estates in Ballysally told Belfast Live they were sick of what was going on but had little confidence that police would help them.

"The drugs in the estate now are big time," one woman said.

"We never bother with anybody and if you don't bother with anybody, you have no bother yourself.

"The only thing is you'd worry that they'd get the wrong house and it could be serious then as well.

"The police never do anything - they might arrive and sure the whole thing's over."

Another man said he had sympathy for the police and what they were up against.

"I don't think these drugs will ever stop, I don't think they ever will," he said.

"The police would be in and out there, you can see them going in around and circling, maybe once or twice a week.

"But sure the ones they're looking for are watching the police, they know before they can get there.

Stock image (Getty Images)

"The police can't be everywhere you know."

Another man told Belfast Live it saddened him to see Ballysally's name sullied by incidents like the petrol bomb attacks.

"I'm in here about 25 years overall in Ballysally and it's not a bad place son.

"I never had any bother with anybody, because I know everyone round here and if anything goes wrong, they're here to help.

"The problem is something like this happens and that's just what gets the attention.

"It's worrying to see it happening here where there are children though.

"The question is when is this going to stop, this injuring people?

"I thought that was the end of it when the Troubles ended."

The PSNI has said it plans to address the ongoing problems in the area, with Chief Inspector Louise Cummings promising officers would meet those who represent the area.

“Everyone in the community, including the police, wants a lasting resolution to the ongoing problems," she said.

"I want to reassure the public that Police Officers and staff work around the clock every day to prevent crime and harm to individuals, protect the vulnerable and detect those who commit crime, to bring them before the courts.

"We enormously value and appreciate the support we do receive from our communities and we do not take this support for granted.

"From our perspective there is always work to be done to maintain and build upon that confidence and meeting with local MLAs and community representatives, is a good opportunity for us to look at a strategic plan going forward."

Ch Insp Cummings said their plans for action would be greatly aided by quality information from those who might have knowledge of what was going on.

“It is vital that the public continue to tell us about crime and anti-social behaviour when they see it or experience it. We can only work to address issues when we know about them.

"I would encourage anyone who has information about incidents in their area that can assist Police, to report it to us.”

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