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Drugs Seizures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (61, 62, 63)

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 fhreagra

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

52 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 fhreagra

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

53 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 fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I 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:

Prescription drugs seized

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.

Prescription drugs seized

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.

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2005

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

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2006

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

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2007

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.

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2008

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').

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2009

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

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2010

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

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2011

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

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