Garda Data

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Ceisteanna (694)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

694. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the number and quantity by type of drugs seized by gardaí attached to Coolock district drugs unit in each of the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [11880/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but unfortunately it was not possible to compile it in the time available.

I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question 694 which was for answer on 3 March 2021 where you asked for the number and quantity by type of drugs seized by Gardaí attached to Coolock district drugs unit in each of the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form.

You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when more up to date information was available.

A core focus of the work carried out by An Garda Síochána is aimed at tackling drug distribution and organised crime. The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and the other state agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard.

Since its establishment in 2015, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, which manages national and international drug trafficking and organised crime investigations, has continued to make significant seizures of controlled drugs and to make related arrests.

Such seizures represent a major blow to criminal gangs, who planned to profit from selling these drugs. The success of this and other operations demonstrates the effectiveness of the various enforcement bodies within this State working together with their international counterparts.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a search of PULSE was carried out on 11 March 2021. The query searched for incidents of category “Drugs” which were recorded in the Coolock district for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021

I am further informed that a total of 1,678 incidents meeting these criteria were recorded in the district, which is comprised of the Coolock, Malahide and Swords Garda stations.

The table included in the attached Appendix, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of drug incidents by year in the Coolock District.

In an effort to provide some insight into drug types, the Garda authorities have examined the drugs detailed in the charges/summonses. Data related to charges and summonses is also included in the attached Appendix. Multiple charges or summonses may be issued for incidents, for example, if there are multiple offenders, multiple drug types, or multiple categories of charges.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Appendix

					Coolock District: Drugs Incidents
Stations	2018	2019	2020	2021	Total
Coolock	274	344	362	55	1035
Malahide	74	54	52	10	190
Swords	118	144	163	28	453
Total	466	542	577	93	1678

This information was drawn down on 11/03/2021. Multiple charges or summonses may be issued for incidents, for example, if there are multiple offenders, multiple drug types, or multiple categories of charges. Furthermore, charges or summonses may not have been issued in relation to all incidents to date. The figures in the table below should not therefore be taken to be a direct subset of the incident numbers above.

				Coolock District: Charges & Summonses linked to Drugs Incidents
Drug Category	2018	2019	2020	2021
Cannabis	371	421	324	16
Cocaine	113	100	66	<10
Diamorphine	30	35	18	<10
Benzodiazepine	18	16	<10	<10
All Other Drugs	26	21	<10	<10
Total	558	593	417	24

Additional Information

Charges and Summonses figures are taken from PULSE as of 11/03/2021. Incident figures are taken from PULSE as of 01:30 on 17/03/2021, they are operational and liable to change.