Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 1

Written Answers. - Drug Seizures.

Enda Kenny

Question:

126 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of seizures of cocaine, cannabis, heroin and ecstasy tablets here in each of the past five years; the estimated street value of each accumulated category; the number of gardaí involved in drug enforcement regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3959/02]

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

The Garda authorities have informed me that the following seizures of cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ecstasy have been made for the years 1996 to 2000 inclusive. The statistics for 2001 are not yet available.

Year	Cocaine	Cannabis/Cannabis Resin	Heroin	Ecstasy
2000	206	4,620	598	1,864
1999	213	4,510	767	1,064
1998	151	4,477	884	466
1997	157	4,047	599	347
1996	92	3,412	664	405
Estimated Street Value€ (millions)	111 million (approx)	109 million (approx)	19 million (approx)	22 million (approx)

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that the most recent statistics readily available in relation to personnel attached to divisional drugs units, as of 9 October 2001, are as follows. In addition, the Garda National Drugs Unit, headed by a detective chief superintendent, consisted of 52 personnel. All members of the Garda Síochána are tasked with the responsibility of enforcing the relevant legislation and, in addition, substantial resources are employed on specialised Garda projects and operations.

Garda SíochánaDivision		Members attachedto Divisional DrugUnits
DMR South Central		14
DMR South		14
DMR North Central		17
DMR North		19
DMR East		24
DMR West		23
Carlow/Kildare		11
Cavan/Monaghan		8
Clare	See footnote¹	4
Cork City		23
Cork West		6
Cork North	See footnote ²
Donegal		13
Galway (West)¹		7
Kerry		4
Laois/Offaly		7
Limerick		12
Longford/Westmeath		9
Louth/Meath	See footnote³
Mayo	See footnote¹

Garda SíochánaDivision		Members attachedto Divisional DrugUnits
Roscommon/GalwayEast		2
Sligo Leitrim		10
Tipperary		6
Waterford/Kilkenny		8
Wexford	See footnote4

Footnote 1:Galway west is a regional unit, thereby covering Mayo, Roscommon/Galway east and Clare.

Footnote 2:Drug prevention and detection is the responsibility of the detective branch which consists of two sergeants and 11 gardaí. It is proposed to set up a designated drug unit in the near future.

Footnote 3:Twelve part-time members are employed almost specifically on drug duties. They form part of drug/crime units.

Footnote 4:Two part-time uniform members work almost full time on drug related issues supplemented by the local detective branch.