Eighteen people are being questioned by police in Northern Ireland following a massive operation against suspected heroin dealers.
Twelve were arrested in Ballymena - a blacksppot for heroin use - when officers raided 16 homes. Six were detained following searches of 11 addresses in Belfast as part of Operation Galiot.
The suspects were being questioned at police stations in Belfast and Ballymena, Antrim and Larne.
A small quantity of heroin with a street value of £300, together with £700 in cash, was also found in the south Belfast operation.
A police spokesman said the object the operation was not about seizing large amounts of heroin but capturing those who traded in it.
Detective Superintendent Judith Gillespie, Head of the Drugs Squad said: "The operation this morning is the climax of a protracted investigation into heroin dealing. "We have been gathering evidence and intelligence on certain people since October last year and it is our aim to severely damage the heroin and class A drugs network in Northern Ireland." PA