Written answers
Tuesday, 7 November 2006
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Drug Seizures
8:00 pm
Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 124: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level, volume and value of illegal drugs over the past five years; the success of the Garda operations in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35921/06]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the tables show the quantity, type and estimated street value of the major drugs seized for the years 2001 to 2005. More detail in relation to these statistics is provided in An Garda Síochána's Annual Reports.
| Year 2005 | ||
| Type of Drug | Quantity | Estimated Street Value |
| € | ||
| Cannabis | 150,401 grams | 300,802 |
| Cannabis Resin | 6,259,750 grams | 43,818,250 |
| Heroin (Diamorphine) | 32,283 grams | 6,456,600 |
| Ecstasy | 327,179 tablets | 3,306,230 |
| Amphetamine | 10,515 grams | 449,505 |
| Cocaine | 229,388 grams | 16,057,160 |
| Year 2004 | ||
| Type of Drug | Quantity | Estimated Street Value |
| € | ||
| Cannabis | 103,958 grams | 207,916 |
| Cannabis Resin | 3,226,445 grams | 22,585,185 |
| Heroin (Diamorphine) | 26,480 grams | 5,296,000 |
| Ecstasy | 1,099,138 tablets | 10,991,380 |
| Amphetamine | 92,417 grams | 1,386,255 |
| Cocaine | 167,336 grams | 11,713,520 |
| Year 2003 | ||
| Type of Drug | Quantity | Estimated Street Value |
| € | ||
| Cannabis | 201,759 grams | 403,518 |
| Cannabis Resin | 5,349,500 grams | 37,446,500 |
| Heroin (Diamorphine) | 27,046 grams | 5,409,200 |
| Ecstasy | 1,291,809 tablets | 12,924,283 |
| Amphetamine | 67,787 grams | 1,032,090 |
| Cocaine | 107,460 grams | 7,522,200 |
| Year 2002 | ||
| Type of Drug | Quantity | Estimated Street Value |
| € | ||
| Cannabis | 5,500,000 grams | 11,200,000 |
| Cannabis Resin | 3,332,710 grams | 23,328,970 |
| Heroin (Diamorphine) | 16,739 grams | 3,347,800 |
| Ecstasy | 117,033 tablets, | 1,171,990 |
| Amphetamine | 16,428 grams | 437,340 |
| Cocaine | 31,752 grams | 2,222,640 |
| Year 2001 | ||
| Type of Drug | Quantity | Estimated Street Value |
| € | ||
| Cannabis | 9,590,057 grams | 19,180,114 |
| Cannabis Resin | 567,026 grams | 3,969,182 |
| Heroin (Diamorphine) | 29,527 grams | 5,905,400 |
| Ecstasy | 469,862 tables | 4,698,620 |
| Amphetamine | 17,955 grams | 269,325 |
| Cocaine | 5,325 grams | 372,750 |
I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that provisional data for 2006 indicates that there has been an overall increase in the quantities of drugs seized so far this year. I welcome this as a reflection of the success of the Garda Síochána in combatting the drugs trade.
In tackling the problem of drug trafficking, An Garda Síochána continues to record significant operational successes, directly attributable to increased law enforcement through intelligence-driven operations at national, regional, divisional and district levels, coordinated by the Garda National Drugs Unit in conjunction with other specialist Garda Units and local Garda Management, whereby criminals believed to be involved in the sale, distribution and importation of illegal drugs are identified and actively targeted by An Garda Síochána.
On an international level the Garda National Drugs Unit continually strives to increase the level of cooperation, through international law-enforcement agencies, Interpol and Europol. Garda liaison Officers are currently in place in the UK, Spain, The Netherlands, and at Europol and Interpol.
Ongoing cooperation through these arrangements continue to result in a number of significant drug seizures and arrests such as the recent seizure of approximately 50kgs of heroin, believed to be destined for Dublin, at a private airfield in Belgium. This police operation which was initiated in Ireland, developed into a joint operation with the Belgian and Dutch police.
In terms of the Government's position in relation to these issues, I would refer the Deputy to my reply earlier today to Priority Question No. 82.
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