Written answers

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

10:00 pm

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline in tabular form the number and type of prescription drugs seized by customs officials to date in 2012. [26596/12]

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline in tabular form the total number of prescription drugs seized by customs officials annually from 2005 to 2011; the type of drugs seized; and the estimated value of same. [26598/12]

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline in tabular form the total quantity and estimated value of illegal non-prescription drugs seized by customs officials from 2005 to 2011. [26606/12]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 to 53, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following tables set out the details requested by the Deputy of seizures by Revenue's customs service of prescription drugs and illegal non-prescription drugs:

Prescription drugs seized

YearNumber of TabletsEstimated value €
2012360,527686,383

The principal types of prescription drugs encountered to date in 2012 are sedatives such as benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets, erectile dysfunction medicines, steroids and slimming tablets.

Prescription drugs seized

YearNumber of TabletsEstimated value €
200514,902147,924
20061,16016,205
2007207,1781,534,615
2008556,9561,665,191
2009935,1812,384,530
20101,652,1242,752,219
20111,285,3402,211,079

The principal types of prescription drugs seized over the course of 2005 to 2011 have been sedatives such as benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets, erectile dysfunction medicines, steroids and slimming tablets.

Section 17 of the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 appointed officers of Customs as enforcement officers for the purpose of the Irish

Medicines Board Act 1995. Revenue's Customs service works closely with the Irish Medicines Board in enforcing the law relating to medicinal products, drug precursors, medical devices and other healthcare products.

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2005

Type of DrugQuantity (kg)Value (€)
Herbal Cannabis180360,000
Cannabis Resin3,78428,100,000
Ecstasy78,964 tablets2,400,000
Heroin0.011,700
Cocaine63.34,400,000
Khat373750,000
LSD65,408 tablets650,000

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2006

Type of DrugQuantity (kg)Value (€)
Herbal Cannabis131260,000
Cannabis Resin25.6176,000
Ecstasy1,123 tablets13,000
Heroin0.651,000
Cocaine61.16,001,000
Khat473905,000
LSD1528 microdots0.001 kg15,000

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2007

Type of Drug Quantity (kg) Value (€)

Herbal Cannabis1,406.31 kg16,141,678
Cannabis Resin414.5 kg2,901,893
Ecstasy3,333 tablets106,445
Heroin22.8 kg4,565,778
Cocaine1,617.9 kg*113,251,542
Khat168.1 kg336,200
LSD5 tabs50* Includes 1,550kg from attempted landing at Dunlough Bay, Cork in July 2007

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2008

Type of DrugQuantity (kg)Value (€)
Herbal Cannabis4595,507,663
Cannabis Resin3196.722,377,100
Heroin70.214,046,700
Cocaine1545*108,150,000
Ecstasy62 tabs310
Khat47.989,800
LSD350 tabs3,500* Includes a maritime seizure of 1,500 Kgs. ('Dances With Waves')

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2009

Type of DrugQuantity (kg)Value (€)
Herbal Cannabis1,170.414,245,506
Cannabis Resin2,276.215,924,144
Heroin0.002300
Cocaine342,379,670
Ecstasy75 tabs377
Khat50.3100,500
LSD1000 tabs10,000

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2010

Type of DrugQuantity (Kg)Value (€)
Herbal Cannabis2593,147,297
Cannabis Resin6.840,622
Ecstasy698 tablets3,390
Heroin1.3189,900
Cocaine37.42,615,095
Khat218.3436,600
LSD0.11,500

Illegal non-prescription drugs seized in 2011

Type of DrugQuantity (Kg)Value (€)
Herbal Cannabis449.55,394,013
Cannabis Resin935.45,612,347
Ecstasy50,722 tablets254,382
Heroin1.7255,900
Cocaine138.59,697,242
Khat177.1354,200
LSD0.04600

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