More than €51 million worth of drugs seized with 151 arrests made so far this year

GNDOBC have also made 151 arrests, recovered four firearms, 55 rounds of ammunition, and seized €5.1 million in cash.

It came as Dublin TD Alan Farrell asked the Minister in the Dáil this week about the status of drug seizures in Ireland this year.

Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drug Unit at Kevin Street Garda Station, with assistance from the Divisional Crime Task Force, conducted a search under warrant at a residence in Ringsend, Dublin 4 and seized €123,000 worth of controlled drugs on Friday 8th October 2021.

As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí from Naas recovered cannabis herb worth €100,000 in the course of searching a stolen motor van in Allenwood, Co Kildare on the 9th October.

Also in October, Gardaí from the Detective and Drug Units in Gorey and Enniscorthy, conducted a search of a residence in Bunclody and seized a combined €304,000 in cannabis and cocaine.

Earlier this month, Gardaí from Cork based Drugs Units seized drugs worth €140,000 and arrested two males in the course of an operation in Cork.

Other recent drug seizures include almost €10 million worth of illegal drugs found at Dublin Port on Wednesday November 24th.

As part of an investigation targeting transnational organised crime groups, officers seized 60kg of cocaine, 22kg of heroin, 145kg of cannabis resin, 79kg of cannabis herb, and 1kg of ketamine at Dublin Port.

The drugs were discovered concealed within a shipment that arrived from the Netherlands, and had a combined value of €9.8 million.

“I welcome these significant seizures and the reassurance that this policing success brings to the communities affected,” Deputy Helen McEntee said.

“An Garda Síochána's Operation Tara is focused on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban Ireland.”

“The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs,” she explained.

Deputy Alan Farrell said that while these seizures will dent the spread of drugs and violence, we must be “resolute in the face of this enemy.”

“Large parts of the city are awash with drugs; it has become a pervasive force in our society,” he said.

“A causal acceptance of many substances has led to more commonplace drug use, one that is often more subtle than in bygone decades.”

“This affects all communities and all sectors of society,” he added.

The Fine Gael TD highlighted that drug abuse has serious knock on effects such as increases of crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The Gardaí, as well as HSE and other diversionary programmes, work tirelessly to disrupt the drug trade and provide victims of drug abuse with the necessary support.”

“Striking a balance of enforcement and health-led approaches will be key in fighting drug use in Ireland.”

Deputy Farrell added that the announcement of 800 additional Gardaí and 400 civilian staff recruited under Budget 2022, as well as investments in infrastructure and IT will further bolster the authorities’ ability to root out drug related activity.