UDA Enforcer Shifts Allegiance to Drug Dealer
Ex-gang muscle now protects dealer’s business, faces NCA scrutiny.
A former enforcer for the South East Antrim UDA (SEA UDA) organized crime gang has reportedly switched his loyalty to a well-known drug dealer, raising concerns among law enforcement agencies and potentially igniting conflict within the criminal underworld.
New Alliance in East Antrim
Sources indicate that the dealer, who operates a car business in east Antrim, has become a significant player in drug trafficking across Larne, Carrickfergus, and north Belfast. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has taken notice of his activities. Investigators believe he is importing narcotics into Northern Ireland through seaports with the help of contacts in Britain. The car business allegedly serves to launder illicit profits.
Providing muscle for the dealer is murder suspect and convicted drug offender, Colin Simms. His primary duty involves safeguarding his employer’s interests and guaranteeing timely payments.
Texts Reveal Unpredictable Enforcer
While Simms is not the primary target of the NCA investigation, he is likely to be questioned. Authorities have reportedly obtained computers, documents, and a mobile phone belonging to the dealer. Security sources claim that the phone contains incriminating messages between the dealer and Simms.
Reportedly, in one text message, the crime boss cautions another associate that Simms can be unpredictable “on the vodka.”
Risky Move Amidst Gang Rivalry
Though the dealer reportedly lacks paramilitary connections, Simms is employed for his extensive knowledge of the drug landscape in Larne and Carrickfergus. According to a 2023 report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, drug-related violence is a growing concern in Europe, with increasing competition among criminal groups (EMCDDA).
By aligning himself with a dealer who directly rivals Gary Fisher‘s operation, Simms is taking a significant gamble. Sources say Fisher had forbidden Simms from participating in the drug trade after a previous conviction. He allegedly faced a mock execution and beating last February as punishment for violating the ban and encroaching on SEA territory. Simms and an associate also allegedly received death threats.
Past Violence and Intimidation
Last year, Simms was allegedly forced into hiding following a hoax bomb alert. Police searched his home in Carrick after receiving a false claim of an explosive device. Previously, he left the town after being identified as a suspect in the murder of Glenn Quinn in January 2020.
Mr. Quinn, terminally ill, was beaten to death in his home in a crime allegedly linked to the SEA UDA. Simms was arrested and questioned but later released without charges. However, his name has remained connected to the crime.
Returning to Carrick, Simms allegedly resumed dealing in the Glenfield estate, disregarding warnings from the SEA against “unlicensed dealers” seeking to regain control of the local drug market.
