Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 2

Written Answers. - Garda Operations.

Brendan Daly

Ceist:

18 Mr. Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, made to date in relation to Operation Dóchas, Operation Main Street and Operation Clean Street; the value of seizures from each of these operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15348/98]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Dóchas, Operation Main Street and Operation Clean Street have been very effective on a number of fronts and have resulted in: increased Garda visibility and presence in key areas; improved relations with local communities; a more focused approach to the drug problem; increased awareness among the public of the extent of the problem and the dangers involved; and improved information flow among all involved.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that since the commencement of Operation Dóchas in October 1996 drugs to the value of over £7 million have been seized on the streets of Dublin, over 21,000 arrests have been made and 10,060 persons have been charged.

The Garda authorities have also informed me that, under Operation Clean Street, 100 on street heroin dealers have been identified, 70 of whom have been arrested and charged under section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977-84 with possession with intent to supply. In addition, 30 persons face prosecution. Under this operation, cash to the total of £2,240 and 170 deals of heroin and 19 deals of cannabis resin, with a total value of over £5,000, have been seized. This operation is intelligence driven and other areas within the DMA will be targeted in future stages of this operation.

I am also advised by the Garda authorities that, under Operation Main Street, which is concentrated in the O'Connell Street area of the DMA: approximately 2,000 persons have been detained for the purposes of search, pursuant to the provisions of section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977-84; 189 persons have been arrested, pursuant to section 25 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977-84 on suspicion of having committed an offence contrary to Section 15 of those Acts with possession for the purpose of supply; 109 persons have been charged with offences committed contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977-84; 16 persons have been charged with offences committed contrary to section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977-84 with possession of a controlled drug; and 88 files are in the process of being prepared for forwarding to the DPP for his direction as to what charges, if any, should be initiated against suspected drug dealers.

During the course of Operation Main Street, heroin with an estimated street value of over £240,000, has been seized in addition to other controlled substances, with an estimated street value of £16,000.

I am assured by the Garda authorities that the effectiveness of these operations is continuously under review.