Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Operation Cellar is active; the amount of drugs seized under the operation; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation; the cost of the operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24895/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the initiative referred to by the Deputy was put in place by the Garda National Drugs Unit in consultation with local Garda management, as part of Operation 'Cleanstreet'. This operation specifically targeted on-street drug dealers and their suppliers at a number of locations, nationwide, between February and September 2008.

The initiative led to the arrest of 155 individuals and resulted in 236 charges for offences contrary to section 15, Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977/84 i.e. possession of drugs with intent to supply, being preferred. Details in relation to the volume of drugs seized under the operation are not available as yet.

Other similar initiatives under Operation 'Cleanstreet' are regularly put in place by Divisional and District Officers in consultation with the Garda National Drugs Unit to target on-street drug dealing and the sources of such drugs.

Finally I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to isolate the costs associated with this specific initiative as it is deemed to be part of on-going operational duties carried out by Garda Divisional and National Drugs Unit personnel.