Written answers

Wednesday, 25 January 2006

8:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 508: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of seizures of illegal drugs by his Department in 2005; the estimated value of each seizure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1016/06]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the details of seizures made by Revenue's customs service in 2005 are as follows:

Drug Type Number of Seizures Quantity Kg/No. Approx. Value (€)
Herbal Cannabis 715 179.981 360,000
Cannabis Resin 362 3,783.941 28,087,000
Ecstasy (MDMA) 16 236,545* 2,365,000
Heroin 2 0.009 1,700
Cocaine 46 63.34 4,417,000
Amphetamines 9 0.02 500
Khat 10 373.02 746,000
LSD 1 65,208† 652,000
Other 62 104 418,000
1,223 4,504 37,047,200
* 236,545 Ecstasy tablets, † 65,208 LSD tabs.

The above figures are provisional.

The customs service made a total of 1,223 drug seizures in 2005 amounting to 4,504 kgs. The number of seizures include those relating to ecstasy and LSD although they are not recorded by weight. Seizures ranged from small personal "own-use" amounts of herbal cannabis or cannabis resin to large consignments which were imported by organised crime groups. Given the number of seizures, many of which were small quantities, it would be onerous to list each individually with its value. The table shows the total quantity and value for each drug category.

The quantities of drugs seized represent a significant increase in the volumes of cannabis resin, ecstasy or MDMA, cocaine and LSD seized compared with 2004 seizures. This reflects the commitment of the Revenue Commissioners to delivering on the supply reduction targets set for law enforcement in the Government's national drugs strategy.

A significant feature of customs operations in 2005 was the quality of supply detection seizures emanating from joint operations and joint investigations. This can be attributed to the enhanced level of national and international intelligence sharing, targeting and joint operations focused at organized crime groups by customs, An Garda Síochána and international law enforcement agencies.

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