Detective Inspector Sean Fitzpatrick was speaking to the Times after putting on display a block of cocaine with a street value of £100,000 and a bag of ecstasy tablets worth £10,000.

The drugs were discovered hidden in a hedge at Greenhall Highway last Monday. There were no arrests and police inquiries are continuing.
Describing the seizure as "a significant find", Det Insp Fitzpatrick said: "The first thing that I would say is that these drugs were found in a hedgerow in a public area, close to homes, where children would be playing.

"Given that children are inquisitive they could easily have consumed these drugs. The cocaine looks like sherbet and we could have been dealing with the death of a young child.
"Secondly, this is a sizeable amount of drugs that have been removed from the community and therefore will make our community a safer place."
Det Insp Fitzpatrick said that a member of the public had found the drugs and reported the matter to police.

He added: "The drugs will now be sent to forensics for fingerprinting and DNA testing and we will await the outcome of those tests.
"We are also appealing to the community to come forward and tell us what they know."
East Londonderry UUP MLA David McClarty congratulated police on the seizure.

"This is one consignment of illegal drugs that will not be used to line the pockets of criminals, and bring misery to the families of those who use drugs.
"Whilst the police work to cut off the supply of illegal drugs, it is the duty of all of us to help reduce the demand. If some people weren't prepared to buy drugs then criminals would not step in to supply them.
"The message is simple. Drugs and drug-dealers are a scourge on the live of our young people. They wreck lives and bring nothing but misery to the families of users."

A police spokesperson said: "Anyone who has any information regarding the sale, supply or misuse of controlled drugs is urged to contact their local police so that the matter can be fully investigated.
"The telephone number to ring is 0845 600 8000 or contact the 'Crimestoppers' charity anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111."