Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons involved in drug trafficking who have been jailed in each of the past three years to date; the number of such persons likely to be released from prison either through early release or having served their sentences in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9023/22]
View answerI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service.
The information is currently being collated and verified and I will write to the Deputy once that information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
As you may be aware, An Garda Síochána tackles drug and organised criminal activity through a range of targeted measures designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations. Specialist units involved in tackling organised crime, including the Armed Support Unit, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Criminal Assets Bureau, have continued and significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. Gardaí work closely with local authorities, HSE, NGOs, community groups and other state agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.
The work of the GNDOCB is supported by Divisional Drugs Units, which tackle drug-related crime on a local basis throughout the country, in collaboration with other law enforcement partners and all Gardaí working in local communities.
Gardaí also work in close cooperation with other jurisdictions to tackling transnational organised crime, including drug trafficking, and targeting the illicit proceeds generated by drug-related crime. Ongoing liaison between our national police service and other law enforcement agencies, via Europol, has led to a number of successful joint operations in recent years.
In 2022, there were 464 individuals whose most serious offence in the custodial period was listed in Group 10 Controlled Drug Offences. In 2021 this figure was 375 and in 2020 it was 325.
There are currently 33 different drug offences listed under the Controlled Drug Offences Group on the Prisoner Information Management System. Of the 33 offences, 5 contain the wording drug trafficking and there are 3 offences where the word import is used. Having used this offence list, the Irish Prison Service has advised that 1 person received a sentence for drug trafficking as their most serious offence in 2022, 2 people in 2021 and 1 person in 2020. None of whom were released in 2022.
I trust this is of assistance.
