Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
177. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drug hauls there were in counties Cavan and Monaghan in the past 12 months; the quantities and types of drugs which were uncovered; the number of persons arrested; the total street value of the drugs discovered; and the locations they were uncovered at. [1453/17]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the matter raised by the Deputy and I will be in contact again when that report is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 177 dated 17 January 2017, in which you requested details of drug hauls made in counties Cavan and Monaghan in the past 12 months.
As you may recall, I indicated that I would request a report from the Garda authorities on this matter and contact you again upon receipt of that report.
I have now been advised by the Garda authorities that during 2016, 35 persons were arrested in An Garda Siochána's Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division in connection with 33 seizures of drugs. Details of the locations of the seizures are provided in the table appended.
The types of drugs seized include cannabis herb, resin and plants, synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and prescription drugs with a total estimated street-value of approximately €450,000, subject to forensic analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.
As a number of the drugs seized are awaiting analysis by Forensic Science Ireland it is not possible as yet to provide more specific details of the quantities of each type of drugs seized. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that cannabis is the most frequently abused illicit substance in the Division and that the detection of a number of cannabis grow houses in the Division accounted for a significant amount and value of the drugs seized.
Finally, I am further advised by the Garda authorities that the Divisional Officer of the Cavan/Monaghan Division has commenced a review of drugs offences in the Division. The findings of this evaluation will assist in determining the appropriate Garda strategies and policing plans that will be put in place to disrupt, dismantle and target drug related criminality in the Division.
This information will, taking into consideration crime trends and other policing needs, including the ongoing allocation of additional resources, inform local Garda management in ensuring that the best possible Garda service is, and continues to be, provided to local communities in the Cavan/Monaghan Division.
