Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 6

Written Answers. - Drug Smuggling.

Bernard Allen

Question:

40 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the media report (details supplied) dated 6 February 1992 that two drug consignments of a half a ton each with a street value in excess of £7.5 million have been smuggled ashore along the Cork-Kerry coastline this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard Allen

Question:

94 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on recent reports by senior Customs and Garda officers that several large cargoes involving cannabis as well as LSD and heroin have been smuggled into Ireland along the south-west coast in recent months; and if he will outline the steps that are being taken to reduce the smuggling.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 94 together.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no evidence that drug consignments, as reported inThe Cork Examiner on Thursday, 6 February 1992, were smuggled ashore along the Cork/Kerry coastline this year. The Department of Justice have also confirmed that the Garda authorities do not have any information or evidence of such consignments. I am further informed that statements in the aforementioned article attributed to senior Customs and Garda officers did not come from approved official sources.

A large consignment of cannabis was seized by Customs officers at Court-macsherry in July 1991. Though rumours circulating at the time alleged that other similar consignments had evaded detection, no evidence or information has come to light to substantiate the allegation.

The Customs authorities are fully alert to the dangers of illicit trafficking in drugs and, in this regard, have assigned staff who have specific responsibilities in relation to combating drug smuggling. These staff consist of a central drugs unit attached to the Customs and Excise investigation branch, drugs intelligence units and staff trained to work with drug detection dogs. In addition, drugs liaison officers are located throughout the country to monitor drug trafficking and to exchange intelligence with the central drugs unit. Apart from the staff who have specific responsibilities in relation to combating drugs smuggling, other Customs staff are also concerned with detecting illicit drugs trafficking as part of their normal duties.

The role of Customs authorities in the detection of illegal trafficking in drugs in the context of the Single Market after 1992 is under active consideration at both national and Community levels with a view to enhancing the present level of mutual assistance arrangements between EC Customs services and other enforcement agencies.