ROME: Two men aged 23 and 30 have been arrested as part of a major investigation into international drugs smuggling.
The pair were detained during a search of a house in the Donegall Pass area of south Belfast and have been taken to a police station in the city for questioning.
In the past nine days, 12 people have been arrested and £1 million worth of cannabis has been seized following 22 police raids across Northern Ireland.
Further arrests and seizures have also been made in England and Italy.
Detective Inspector Andy Dunlop, from the Police Service Organised Crime Branch, said: “Five people have been remanded in custody, two were released on bail pending a report to the PPS and three others are due to appear in court tomorrow.
“We have seized £1 million worth of cannabis in Northern Ireland and have worked closely with colleagues in the National Crime Agency and Italian Carabinieri as additional searches were conducted and arrests were made.
“Our inquiries are continuing.”