I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are indications of an increase in the availability and use of cocaine in Dublin in the recent past. However, offences involving cocaine represent a small proportion of the overall number of drug offences annually.
Operations have been initiated throughout the Dublin area in response. Divisional and district drug units, working closely with Garda national drugs unit, have targeted known suppliers and abusers.
The forensic science laboratory analyses drugs seized and, based on its analysis, there have been three separate seizures of crack cocaine in Dublin since 1 January 2003. The situation will continue to be monitored throughout the Dublin area and operations targeting suppliers of crack cocaine will continue.