Belfast pair sentenced after £100,000 cocaine and £260,000 cash seizure
Two people from Belfast have been sentenced following a major police investigation which resulted in the seizure of cocaine worth around £100,000 and more than £260,000 in cash.
Caolen Herald, 26, and Roise Stone, 24, were sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court on Wednesday following an investigation by PSNI Organised Crime Branch detectives.
Cocaine and cash recovered from car
The investigation began on January 6, 2024, when police stopped a black Seat Leon travelling southbound on the A1 between Hillsborough and Dromore.
Police said Stone was driving the vehicle, with Herald travelling in the front passenger seat.
During a search, officers discovered a parcel containing cocaine in a bag in the rear footwell.
A separate bag on the rear passenger seat contained a number of carrier bags holding a total of £260,820 in cash.
Further searches were subsequently carried out at two properties in west Belfast, where police recovered additional cash and quantities of cocaine.
Six-and-a-half-year sentence
Herald was sentenced to six-and-a-half years, with half of the sentence to be served in custody and the remainder on probation.
Following his release, he will also be subject to a three-year Serious Crime Prevention Order.
His convictions included possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class A drug, possession and transfer of criminal property, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and conspiracy to import a Class A drug.
Stone received a two-year sentence suspended for three years.
Her convictions included possession of a Class A drug, being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and transferring criminal property.
Organised Crime Branch investigation
Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney said Herald had been involved in drug supply at a high level and described the sentences as demonstrating the PSNI’s commitment to pursuing those involved in organised criminality.
Police said their Organised Crime Branch would continue efforts to remove drugs from communities and seize cash and assets linked to drug dealing.