Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will report on Garda Operation Marshall; the number of persons arrested and charged to date; the amount of drugs seized to date; the number of gardaí involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1524/11]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that Operation Marshall was a policing operation undertaken by the Garda National Drugs Unit with support from local drug units during the period June to December 2010.

The operation targeted drug dealing in the following three Garda Divisions within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) - Dublin North-Central, Dublin South-Central and Dublin West.

I am informed that approximately 100 'street-deals' of drugs, principally heroin and cocaine, were purchased as part of this operation. The operation has resulted in the arrests of 46 persons, with further arrests anticipated.

Persons arrested for offences contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 and 1984 as amended (possession of controlled substances for sale or supply) were detained under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. All such persons are either currently before the Courts, awaiting law officers directions, or remain under investigation, at this time.

The monetary value of drugs seized during this initiative was approximately €5,000, with individual street-deals worth on average between €20-€80 being purchased by undercover officers.

Given the nature of the operation it is not possible to determine the precise number of Gardaí who were involved in this operation.

Finally, I am assured by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána continues to be fully committed to tackling the supply of drugs at all levels under the National Drugs Strategy.

The Garda National Drugs Unit works together with local Garda Drugs Units to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to protecting our communities, individuals and their families from the harm and pain caused by drug misuse.