Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drug Seizures.

Pat Carey

Question:

133 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the very high volumes of drug trafficking through Dublin Airport, he will locate a special drugs team at the airport which would allow the drugs team in Santry to concentrate on their own area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10674/01]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is a dedicated anti-smuggling team of 26 Customs officers stationed at Dublin Airport, which is specifically responsible for tackling drugs and other smuggling activity. These officers are supported by an additional 15 staff who are primarily responsible for the control and clearance of freight. Similar Customs anti-smuggling teams are deployed throughout the country at all of the main ports and airports. Customs also has a centralised intelligence gathering and management unit which supports all operational antismuggling teams.

Over the past three years, the Customs Service was responsible for the seizure of drugs nationally with a street value in excess of £78 million. During the same period, Customs staff at Dublin Air port seized drugs with a street value of almost £7 million while drugs valued in excess of £1 million have already been seized this year. These seizures have been made using a combination of profiling and risk analysis techniques and also through intelligence gathered both locally and through contact with other Customs Services.

A Government decision of 19 July 1995, assigned primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of drugs intended to be smuggled or imported into the State to the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners. The Government decision has been given effect by an agreed Memorandum of Understanding concerning the relationship between the Customs Service and the Garda Síochána in respect of drugs law enforcement which was signed on 12 January 1996 by the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners and the Garda Commissioner and noted and endorsed by the Ministers for Finance and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Practical arrangements have been agreed between the two agencies in an operation protocol. Where Customs officers detect a person smuggling drugs at Dublin Airport, the gardaí at Santry Garda Station are immediately notified. As the Deputy is aware, I have no responsibility for Garda operations.

The Revenue Commissioners continuously evaluate the effect of all their anti-smuggling programmes and review the resources involved. They are satisfied that the dedicated Customs anti-smuggling team, and the other staff involved, are very effective in tackling drugs smuggling at Dublin Airport.