Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 4: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of funding allocated to running the joint task force on drug interdiction; and if he will provide an update on their work. [14708/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Joint Task Force established under the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the relationship between the Customs & Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners and the Garda Síochána with respect to Drugs Law Enforcement dated 2 January 1996, and approved by the ad-hoc group in May of 1996, is charged to operate as a partnership. The Joint Task Force arrangements are activated in response to specific operational developments and the Joint Task Force does not therefore exist as a separate permanent structure. The number of personnel allocated to the Joint Task Force from each agency will be determined by the circumstances and requirements of each particular operation.

There is no separate financial allocation to cover the costs of Joint Task Force operations. Such costs are borne by the respective agencies involved and are included in the general operational budgets of the agencies.

In 2011 Joint Task Force operations included fifty-six controlled deliveries which resulted in the seizure of drugs including 205 kilograms of cannabis, 109 kilograms of cocaine, and 7 kilograms of other drugs with an estimated street value in excess of €10 million. These operations also resulted in the arrest of thirty-eight persons in relation to drug trafficking offences. In addition ten intelligence based operations focusing on the smuggling of cannabis, cocaine and other drugs by various means including the maritime, road freight and aviation sectors were carried out.