asked the Minister for Finance the total volume and value of illegal drugs seized by Customs officers at points of entry for each year from 1980 to date.
455.
Written Answers. - Seizure of Illegal Drugs.
454.
asked the Minister for Finance the total volume and value of illegal drugs seized at points of entry by Customs officers acting in conjunction with members of the Garda for each year from 1980 to date.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 454 and 455 together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that records are not maintained in such a manner as to enable drugs seizure cases in which Customs officers acted in conjunction with gardaí to be identified without an inordinate expenditure of official time. However, a large seizure of cannabis in 1981 with a street value of £3.5 million resulted from joint Customs/Garda action.
The following table shows the approximate weight and estimated value of illegal drugs seized by Customs in the period in question:
|
Year |
Weight |
Value |
|
(kgs.) |
£ |
|
|
1980 |
48.7 |
95,000 |
|
1981 |
1,735.8 |
4,824,500 |
|
1982 |
124.0 |
372,000 |
|
1983 |
427.5 |
1,522,500 |
|
1984 |
2.8 |
17,000 |
|
(to date) |