Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 380: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times a year confiscated caches of illegal drugs seized by the gardaí are destroyed; the location where the destruction of such material takes place; the public auditor who attends such events; the way the amounts of material so destroyed are recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18136/09]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that all drugs classified as controlled in the Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 / 1984 which are seized by members of An Garda Síochána and other law enforcement authorities in the course of investigations, are destroyed upon the determination of court proceedings. Each operation is documented and all associated records are maintained by the Garda Technical Bureau.

The drugs are destroyed under the supervision of a Detective Inspector from the Garda Technical Bureau following analysis and evidential requirements, and with the written authorisation of a member of An Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector from the Garda District where the drugs originated. The Garda Technical Bureau also facilitates the destruction of drug seizures that the Bureau receives from the Customs service. The number of occasions on which drugs are destroyed varies from year to year, as it is dependent on the frequency and quantities of drugs seized and the numbers of such cases disposed of by the Courts. It would not be appropriate to disclose any further information about the destruction of drugs for security reasons.