I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Dóchas, Operation Main Street and Operation Clean Street have been very effective on a number of fronts and have resulted in: increased Garda visibility and presence in key areas; improved relations with local communities; a more focused approach to the drug problem; increased awareness among the public of the extent of the problem and the dangers involved; and improved information flow among all involved.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that since the commencement of Operation Dóchas in October 1996 drugs to the value of over £7 million have been seized on the streets of Dublin, over 21,000 arrests have been made and 10,060 persons have been charged.
The Garda authorities have also informed me that, under Operation Clean Street, 100 on street heroin dealers have been identified, 70 of whom have been arrested and charged under section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977-84 with possession with intent to supply. In addition, 30 persons face prosecution. Under this operation, cash to the total of £2,240 and 170 deals of heroin and 19 deals of cannabis resin, with a total value of over £5,000, have been seized. This operation is intelligence driven and other areas within the DMA will be targeted in future stages of this operation.