Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug barons currently operating here; the extent of the action to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33252/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Organised criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction are being targeted on a continuous basis by Gardaí and profiles regarding the personnel of such groups are continually updated. Their members, operating methods, criminal interests and financial assets are likewise proactively targeted and a Garda response embraces an intelligence-led approach to operations primarily undertaken by An Garda Síochána specialised units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Drug Unit, the Organised Crime Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau.

All available intelligence is fully analysed and used in the strategic deployment of both local and specialised operational Garda units to target particular gangs. Organised crime, including persons suspected of involvement in drug-trafficking, importation, sale and supply, is being targeted on a number of fronts. This approach involves uniform and plain-clothes Gardaí overtly and covertly disrupting known criminals in the course of criminal activities. Members, their operating methods, criminal interests and financial assets are likewise proactively targeted in intelligence-led operations. An Garda Síochána, in cooperation with its multi-agency law enforcement partners, including the Revenue Commissioners, will ensure that all available resources will be deployed in targeting the major gangs involved in drug trafficking in accordance with the National Drugs Strategy.

Some of the steps taken to date by An Garda Síochána to address the sale, supply, importation and distribution of illegal drugs include the following: the allocation of additional resources at the Garda National Drugs Unit, as well at District and Divisional levels; the establishment, on a permanent basis, of the Organised Crime Unit with the specific objective of targeting those suspected of involvement in organised crime, including drug trafficking, importation, sale and supply; the establishment of dedicated Divisional and District Drug Units and the allocation of additional personnel to those already established; internationally, An Garda Síochána works closely with relevant law enforcement agencies including all EU agencies, the Drugs Enforcement Agency (US), Interpol and Europol. An Garda Síochána also has Liaison Officers based in the Hague, London, Paris, Madrid Europol and Interpol; ongoing training programme for personnel as Divisional Asset Profilers, who have the specific remit of targeting assets of persons who are suspected of being involved in the importation, sale and supply of drugs at local, divisional / district, level.

These specific initiatives are in conjunction with the responsibility on all members of An Garda Síochána who are tasked with implementing the criminal law, including relevant drug-trafficking legislation. Other measures have been put in place to deal with serious crime including Operation Anvil. This intelligence-led operation has been used to target specific individuals and its primary focus is the disruption of serious and organised criminal activity. Operation 'Anvil' commenced in May 2005 in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and was extended country-wide in 2006. The Garda Commissioner has publicly re-affirmed his absolute commitment to the objectives of Operation 'Anvil', which is but one tool used by members of An Garda Síochána in endeavouring to combat crime.

An Garda Síochána is in ongoing liaison with international law enforcement agencies and the Irish Prison Service to counteract the activities of persons who attempt to continue their criminal endeavours from outside the jurisdiction and/or while serving prison sentences.

The Criminal Assets Bureau is being actively utilised to identify and target funds accumulated by criminals, in order to seize such assets and to deprive them of the profits of their criminal activity. A dedicated unit within the Garda National Drugs Unit has been established to liaise with the Criminal Assets Bureau to particularly target those criminals and criminal groupings believed to be deriving profits and assets from drug-related criminal activity. This integrated approach adopts best practice in implementing a coordinated use of Garda resources and using available criminal legislation to its fullest extent. Operations are reviewed by Garda management on an ongoing basis to ensure their effectiveness.