Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 341: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the information obtained from the recent Operation Cellar campaign by the Garda that can assist local drug task forces in identifying areas, communities or families that need help and assistance under the remit of the LDTF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40922/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that similar to Operation 'Clean-Street', Operation 'Cellar' is a 'test-purchase' initiative targeting suppliers of heroin and cocaine, led by the Garda National Drugs Unit, assisted by personnel from Divisional and District Drug Units, in a number of locations nationwide. This initiative led to the arrest of 155 individuals, and the commencement of 236 proceedings for related offences.

An Garda Síochána is represented by a Garda Inspector on the Local and Regional Drug Task Forces. This officer provides relevant information on drug prevalence and supply to the Local and Regional DTF's. In addition An Garda Síochána is also represented by a Garda Superintendent on the National Drug Strategy Team and he provides continuous feed-back on various operational initiatives which have relevance and feed into the ongoing work of the Local and Regional Task Forces. This assists the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces in the preparation of strategies to reduce demand for, and target the supply of, illegal drugs in Ireland.