asked the Minister for Justice the total seizures of heroin in County Dublin in each of the past four years; the total number of persons convicted of dealing in heroin for each of the past four years; if he has satisfied himself that the strength of the drugs squad is adequate to deal with the drugs problem in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Heroin Seizures.
23.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of seizures of heroin in the Dublin Metropolitan Area, and the amounts seized, for each of the last four years, are as follows.
|
Year |
Number of Seizures |
Amount Seized |
|
1983 |
550 |
1,379.04 grammes |
|
1984 |
431 |
518.30 grammes |
|
1985 |
441 |
1,220.00 grammes |
|
1986 |
463 |
1,894.98 grammes |
I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics relating to persons convicted of supplying, or of possession with intent to supply any particular controlled drug, are not recorded separately by the Garda. Consequently, the information sought could not be compiled without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda resources.
The information which is readily available and which is published in the annual crime reports, refers to persons convicted of unlawful possession of any controlled drug, including possession with intent to supply, and refers also to persons who have been charged with possession of heroin whether for personal use, or for sale or supply to others.
This information is as follows: (a) Numbers of persons convicted for the unlawful possession of all controlled drugs, including possession with intent to supply: 1983, 1,054; 1984, 446; 1985, 618; 1986, 969.
Note: Convictions obtained in any one year may relate to prosecutions taken in previous years.
(b) Numbers of persons charged with possession of heroin, including possession for personal use or to supply to others: 1983, 449; 1984, 340; 1985, 359; 1986, 341.
The allocation of Garda manpower to specialised units like the Drug Squad is a matter for the Garda authorities in the light of their assessment of needs and having regard to overall resources and other demands on Garda services. The Garda authorities consider that the strength of the Drug Squad is adequate at present. It is important, in relation to this matter, to bear in mind that while the Drug Squad plays a special role in combating the drugs problem, a vital contribution is made too by the many other members of the Garda Síochána who have been given special anti-drugs training and who perform valuable anti-drugs work as part of their normal duties. To date, some 1,730 members assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan Area have undergone specialist training in anti-drugs work.