Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 1995

Vol. 449 No. 8

Written Answers. - Drug Seizures.

Tony Gregory

Question:

62 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance the value of drug seizures of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis made by Customs officers in each of the last four years; and the annual cost to the State of the Customs officers who deal with the smuggling and importation of illicit drugs. [4641/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated street value of drugs seized by Customs officers in each of the last four years is as follows:

	1991	1992	1993	1994
	£	£	£	£
Heroin	4,320	74,834	92,802	52,740
Cocaine	1,140	3,000,000	166,782	95,472
Ecstasy	700	50	34,840	79,900
Cannabis	9,992,729	3,792,175	16,238,306	5,032,305
Number of Seizures	91	81	119	473

The annual cost to the State of the officers of the specialist customs national drugs team is at present approximately £2,146,000. In addition the general cadre of Customs & Excise staff are also involved in the detection and prevention of drug smuggling as part of their normal duties.