Over €1.3m worth of illegal drugs seized in West Cork over past 5yrs – Harrington

Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Noel Harrington, has said that the seizure of over €1.3 million worth of illegal drugs in West Cork over the past five years is an indication of the problem that exists. Deputy Harrington was commenting on details of illegal drugs seizure from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.

“The street value of illegal drugs seized in West Cork by An Garda Siochána over the past five years comes to over €1.3 million with almost €700,000 of that being seized in 2012 alone. The figures for 2009 to 2014 are accurate as of 30^th June 2014.

“Minister Fitzgerald has outlined that there is no reliable scientific method available at national or international levels to establish what percentage amounts of seized illegal drugs represent, relative to the total of illegal drugs ‘unseized’ in a jurisdiction. We can only presume that despite the hard work of An Garda Siochána there were a lot of drugs unseized, highlighting again the drugs problem that exists.

“During the economic crisis, Templemore closed its doors and as a result there are fewer Gardaí on the streets. This Government reopened Templemore, 550 Gardaí are in training or about to enter, €10 million has bene invested in the Garda fleet for 2015 and €42 million has been earmarked for three new Garda Divisional Headquarters.

“In terms of overall policing response in tackling drug supply, the Garda authorities continue to prioritise tackling all forms of organised crime, including drug trafficking, as a core focus of their work.

“An Garda Siochána is satisfied that in addition to the considerable volume of drugs which have been seized in the last 10 years, a significant impact continues to be made through the ongoing arrest and prosecution of major players involved in drug trafficking and through the ongoing disruption of gangs who are involved in this trade.

“Illegal drug use is a major problem in many communities in Ireland and we, here in West Cork are not immune. I commend an Garda Siochána for the work they have done in seizing illicit drugs but I believe that there are still unfortunately more drugs unseized than seized.

“I am hopeful that with more resources, improved ICT and increased man power, the battle against drugs will continue and intensify.”