James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, again, thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. All the Deputies in the area have continuously raised this matter, including Deputy McAuliffe, who is seated behind me here.

In July last year, An Garda Síochána commenced an enhanced national anti-drug strategy, Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban Ireland. Operation Tara works to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of drugs.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, GNDOCB, has a critical role to play and is having success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime. The bureau's work is supported by the divisional drug units nationwide and by all gardaí working in local communities. The bureau also works closely and productively with international law enforcement partners.

Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other State agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and drug abuse.

On 12 January 2021, An Garda Síochána issued operational statistics on the work of the GNDOCB last year, which included cash seizures in 2021 of €5,639,310 and £38,571. Cash forfeited to the State in 2021 comprised of €8,230,886, £142,520 and $23 while drugs seized were valued at €63.689 million.

I am confident that An Garda Síochána will continue to direct significant resources to tackling the scourge of this kind of crime both in Finglas and throughout the country.

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