Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 322: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to establish Operation Cleanstreet again; if he will provide details of the successes of this operation; the resources and manpower afforded to this operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28657/09]

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

An Garda Síochána is fully committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs in keeping with its remit under the National Drugs Strategy.

As part of this commitment, An Garda Síochána regularly undertakes initiatives targeted at persons involved in on-street sale and supply of drugs in the community.

One such initiative is Operation Cleanstreet which is undertaken by the Garda National Drugs Unit in conjunction with district and divisional Garda management.

'Cleanstreet' is the operational generic code name allocated to the overall on-street test purchase type initiative which originally commenced in approximately 1997.

Under Operation Cleanstreet specific initiatives are planned, by Divisional / District Officers in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs Unit, at regular intervals, for the purposes of gathering evidence in furtherance of a Garda investigation into the sale and supply of drugs.

The most recent of these such initiatives took place recently in the Dublin Metropolitan Region on the 1st and 2nd July 2009, which resulted in over 100 searches taking place. This led to the arrest of eighty-five persons who were charged with offences relating to the sale and supply of illegal drugs.

The Garda National Drugs Unit continues to work together with local Garda management and district and divisional Garda drugs units to ensure a coordinated and effective approach is in place to tackle drug supply.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 323: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the successes of Operation Archer; the number of persons arrested; the number of prosecutions being followed up on; the number of gardaí involved; the cost of the operation to date; if it is a co-ordinated effort including Operation Anvil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28658/09]

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

In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.