Written Answers. - Drug Seizures. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Written Answers. - Drug Seizures.

Ivor Callely

Question:

205 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the quantity and value of illegal drugs which were confiscated by the Garda and Customs in 1999; the comparison figures in each of the years 1994, 1989, 1984 and 1979; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2679/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the quantity of illegal drugs confiscated by the Garda during 1999 is not currently available, but I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

However, the Garda has informed me that provisional figures for 1999 indicate that the value of illicit drug seizures made during the year is approximately £35 million.

Details of quantities of illicit drugs seized in 1979, 1984, 1989 and 1994, supplied by the Garda authorities, have been forwarded to the Deputy.

Garda Drug Seizures for the years 1979, 1984, 1989 and 1994.

Type of Drug	1979Quantity	1984Quantity	1989Quantity	1994Quantity
Cannabis Herb	5.6g	–	–	65,459g

Cannabis	422.4kg	2.65kg	147.00kg	–

Cannabis Resin	17.7kg	12.52kg	43.60kg	1,460.722kg

Cannabis Leaf	69g	–	–	–

Liquid Cannabis	4.7g	–	–	–

Cannabis Plants	2,209	840	35	126

Cannabis Seeds	14.75kg	–	–	–

Hash Oil	–	1.086g	–	–

Opium Plants	–	80	–	–

Cocaine	29g	80.17g	3.00kg	45.6g

Heroin	5g	525.14g	397.62g	4,649g

Opium	52g; 30t	120g	–	–

Benzodiazephines	–	–	–	3,130t

Synthetic	1,551t;	–	–	1,599t

Narcotics	146amp

Morphine	40g; 80t;100amp;260ml	124t	20,384t;82.00g;200ml	978t

Psilocyn	–	274g	92.13g	–

LSD	211t	579 units	903du	16,634t

THC	10g	–	–	–

Barbiturates	14,199t	1,047t	–	–

Non Barbiturates, Sedatives and Tranquillisers	1,040t	–	–	–

Amphetamines	2g; 135t	1.36g	48.32g	186t + 354.4g

Synthetic Opiates	–	850ml	349t1,328ml153amp	–

Narcotic Analgesics	–	–	14,849t	–

Diconal	61t	–	–	–

Palfium	20t	–	–	–

Ecstasy – MDA/MDMA/MDEA	–	–	–	28,671t

Other	9g	–	–	–

Amp = Ampoulet = tabletg = grammekg = kilogramme

mg = milligrameml = millilitredu = dosage units

The Revenue Commissioners have informed me of the following information in relation to drug seizures by Customs for the years 1989, 1994 and 1999:

Customs Drug Seizures for the years 1989, 1994 and 1999.


Type of Drug	1989	Quantity	Value	1994	Quantity	Value	1999	Quantity	Value
		£		£		£
Herbal Cannabis	150.86kg	452,581	7.76kg	31,030	68.29kg	136,569

Cannbais Resin	35.85kg	161,917	500.13kg	5,001,265	1,977.44 kg	19,743,520

Ecstasy	–	–	3,191t	31,910	55,030t	660,360

Heroin	0.27kg	41,920	0.205kg	109,480	1.13kg	171,800

Cocaine	2.001kg	200,100	0.211kg	95,715	27.21kg	3,366,220

Amphetamines	0.059kg	5,050	0.006kg	188	0.02kg	205

LSD	170du	1,190	10,161t	50,775	–	–

Physeptone	–	–	30kg	300	60kg	600

Other	0.3kg	50	182 du	1,725	14.03kg	209

kg = Kilograms

t = Tablet

d = Dosage Units

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Customs national drugs team does not have the data requested for the years 1979 and 1984.

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000