Pensioner taken to hospital and man arrested for alleged drugs offences after hit and run A1 crash

One man was arrested on suspicion of drugs offences following the two vehicle collision

A man has been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences following a hit and run collision in Co Down.Police received a report of a hit and run road traffic collision on the A1 carriageway at Banbridge, shortly after 11am on Tuesday, October 7.

The collision involved a blue Hyundai car and a white Peugeot van, which then left the scene, making its way north on the A1 carriageway.

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Police in the Lisburn area were made aware of the incident and resources were put in place to intercept the van. The van was stopped by police a short time later on the Old Ballynahinch Road in Lisburn and after a search of the van a large quantity of suspected herbal cannabis, with a street value estimated in excess of £140,000, was recovered.

The driver of the van, a man aged 40, was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including possession of a class B drug and possession of a class B drug with intent to supply and remains in custody.

Meanwhile the driver of the blue Hyundai, a man aged in his 80s, is receiving hospital treatment following the collision.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “As a result of this excellent police work, involving officers from E and B districts, a large quantity of suspected dangerous controlled drugs are now safely off our streets.“Drugs have no place in our community and I would appeal to anyone with information about the supply, possession or misuse of drugs to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. ”

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