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Drug Dealing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Questions (63)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

63. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice her plans to target the problem of hard drug dealing in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26113/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Government is acutely aware of the significant, sustained damage that drug dealing has on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to community safety, including rural communities.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025'. This strategy represents a whole-of-government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.

The Government’s strategic approach is health-led to reduce demand while balancing this with reducing access to illegal drugs. The approach aims to reduce the numbers criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use, diverting these people to health and diversion treatments to address their habits and behaviours.  

While the strategy aims to support the most vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strong enforcement measures across government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to prioritise the continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs as a key priority.

An Garda Síochána works closely with local communities to address any drug-related issues, including through high-visibility patrolling by uniformed personnel and through intelligence-led operations targeting known criminals. Gardaí also work with the Criminal Assets Bureau to seize the assets of criminals and disrupt their activities and collaborate with other law enforcement agencies, both within and outside the jurisdiction.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. Its work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide and by all Gardaí working in local communities, while working closely with international law enforcement partners. I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2021, the GNDOCB seized almost €64m worth of illicit drugs and over €5.6m in cash, a significant increase from 2019, when there were over €21m worth of illicit drugs and over €2.5m in cash seized. 

GNDOCB’s work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, and by all Gardaí working in local communities. GNDOCB also works closely and productively with international law enforcement partners. Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other State agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.  

As the Deputy may be aware, intimidation is a very serious issue and GNDOCB has worked with the National Family Support Network to develop ‘the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme’ to respond to the needs of drug users and family members experiencing drug-related intimidation. The Commissioner has tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug-related intimidation.  People seeking assistance may contact their local Inspector confidentially who will provide practical personal security and safety information and advice in relation to particular threats or instances of intimidation, along with information on appropriate drug support services for the individual in the family who is accruing drug debts, while also providing information regarding the process involved in making a formal complaint. 

On 2 July 2021, An Garda Síochána commenced an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban Ireland. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.

Recent successes of Operation Tara include the seizure of an estimated €1.12 million of suspected cannabis and €420,000 of suspected cocaine in Counties Kildare and Meath on 7 May and the seizure of approximately €400,000 worth of cannabis plants in Co. Cork on 9 May.

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