Following the discovery of a cannabis farm in Mid Ulster, five men have been arrested.

Five men have been arrested by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Criminal Investigation Department, with assistance from colleagues in the Specialist Operations Branch Air Support Unit and Neighbourhood policing teams. The arrests followed the discovery of a large and sophisticated cannabis farm at a property in the Tulnacross Road area of Cookstown on Thursday, 2nd March, after police received a report that a man had been injured at the location.

Further searches at the property uncovered a suspected firearm and a quantity of ammunition, which have been seized for forensic examination, along with a large amount of suspected cannabis. One suspect was pursued on foot with the assistance of colleagues from the Specialist Operations Branch Air Support Unit, who landed their helicopter in a nearby field.

The men, aged 28, 36, 50, and two aged 29, have been arrested on suspicion of a number of offenses and are currently in custody, assisting with enquiries. Detective Inspector Ryan emphasized the commitment of the police to tackle the illegal drugs trade and urged anyone with information about drugs or drug-dealing in their community to contact them.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1343 of 02/03/23. Alternatively, a report can be made online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.