Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangements for the secure storage and safe destruction of illicit drugs seized by the Garda Síochána; if there is independent monitoring and verification of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18875/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that all illegal drugs seized are initially conveyed to the forensic science laboratory, pending analysis. Once analysed, smaller quantities of seized drugs are returned to the Garda district or divisional headquarters of origin where they are stored in secure conditions in a safe for evidential purposes until no longer required. Volume drug seizures are stored in secure conditions at Garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park. When no longer required as evidence, or in the event of no prosecution, they are transported to a facility where they are incinerated under the supervision of the Garda technical bureau. Smaller seizures of drugs are destroyed at district level, under the supervision of a Garda inspector.