Dara Calleary
Ceist:51 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline in tabular form the number and type of prescription drugs seized by customs officials to date in 2012. [26596/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
51 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline in tabular form the number and type of prescription drugs seized by customs officials to date in 2012. [26596/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra52 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline in tabular form the total number of prescription drugs seized by customs officials annually from 2005 to 2011; the type of drugs seized; and the estimated value of same. [26598/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra53 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline in tabular form the total quantity and estimated value of illegal non-prescription drugs seized by customs officials from 2005 to 2011. [26606/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 to 53, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following tables set out the details requested by the Deputy of seizures by Revenue's customs service of prescription drugs and illegal non-prescription drugs:
Year |
Number of Tablets |
Estimated value € |
2012 |
360,527 |
686,383 |
The principal types of prescription drugs encountered to date in 2012 are sedatives such as benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets, erectile dysfunction medicines, steroids and slimming tablets.
Year |
Number of Tablets |
Estimated value € |
2005 |
14,902 |
147,924 |
2006 |
1,160 |
16,205 |
2007 |
207,178 |
1,534,615 |
2008 |
556,956 |
1,665,191 |
2009 |
935,181 |
2,384,530 |
2010 |
1,652,124 |
2,752,219 |
2011 |
1,285,340 |
2,211,079 |
The principal types of prescription drugs seized over the course of 2005 to 2011 have been sedatives such as benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets, erectile dysfunction medicines, steroids and slimming tablets.
Section 17 of the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 appointed officers of Customs as enforcement officers for the purpose of the Irish Medicines Board Act 1995. Revenue's Customs service works closely with the Irish Medicines Board in enforcing the law relating to medicinal products, drug precursors, medical devices and other healthcare products.
Type of Drug |
Quantity (kg) |
Value (€) |
Herbal Cannabis |
180 |
360,000 |
Cannabis Resin |
3,784 |
28,100,000 |
Ecstasy |
78,964 tablets |
2,400,000 |
Heroin |
0.01 |
1,700 |
Cocaine |
63.3 |
4,400,000 |
Khat |
373 |
750,000 |
LSD |
65,408 tablets |
650,000 |
Type of Drug |
Quantity (kg) |
Value (€) |
Herbal Cannabis |
131 |
260,000 |
Cannabis Resin |
25.6 |
176,000 |
Ecstasy |
1,123 tablets |
13,000 |
Heroin |
0.6 |
51,000 |
Cocaine |
61.1 |
6,001,000 |
Khat |
473 |
905,000 |
LSD |
1,528 microdots 0.001 kg |
15,000 |
Type of Drug |
Quantity (kg) |
Value (€) |
Herbal Cannabis |
1,406.31 kg |
16,141,678 |
Cannabis Resin |
414.5 kg |
2,901,893 |
Ecstasy |
3,333 tablets |
106,445 |
Heroin |
22.8 kg |
4,565,778 |
Cocaine |
1,617.9 kg* |
113,251,542 |
Khat |
168.1 kg |
336,200 |
LSD |
5 tabs |
50 |
*Includes 1,550kg from attempted landing at Dunlough Bay, Cork in July 2007.
Type of Drug |
Quantity (kg) |
Value (€) |
Herbal Cannabis |
459 |
5,507,663 |
Cannabis Resin |
3196.7 |
22,377,100 |
Heroin |
70.2 |
14,046,700 |
Cocaine |
1545* |
108,150,000 |
Ecstasy |
62 tabs |
310 |
Khat |
47.9 |
89,800 |
LSD |
350 tabs |
3,500 |
*Includes a maritime seizure of 1,500 Kgs. (‘Dances With Waves').
Type of Drug |
Quantity (kg) |
Value (€) |
Herbal Cannabis |
1,170.4 |
14,245,506 |
Cannabis Resin |
2,276.2 |
15,924,144 |
Heroin |
0.002 |
300 |
Cocaine |
34 |
2,379,670 |
Ecstasy |
75 tabs |
377 |
Khat |
50.3 |
100,500 |
LSD |
1000 tabs |
10,000 |
Type of Drug |
Quantity (Kg) |
Value (€) |
Herbal Cannabis |
259 |
3,147,297 |
Cannabis Resin |
6.8 |
40,622 |
Ecstasy |
698 tablets |
3,390 |
Heroin |
1.3 |
189,900 |
Cocaine |
37.4 |
2,615,095 |
Khat |
218.3 |
436,600 |
LSD |
0.1 |
1,500 |
Type of Drug |
Quantity (Kg) |
Value (€) |
Herbal Cannabis |
449.5 |
5,394,013 |
Cannabis Resin |
935.4 |
5,612,347 |
Ecstasy |
50,722 tablets |
254,382 |
Heroin |
1.7 |
255,900 |
Cocaine |
138.5 |
9,697,242 |
Khat |
177.1 |
354,200 |
LSD |
0.04 |
600 |