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News (Media Awareness Project) - Ireland: Gardai Can Now React Swiftly To Tip Offs From The
Title:Ireland: Gardai Can Now React Swiftly To Tip Offs From The
Published On:1999-07-29
Source:Examiner, The (Ireland)
Fetched On:2008-09-06 01:02:24
GARDAI CAN NOW REACT SWIFTLY TO TIP OFFS FROM THE PUBLIC

A SIGNIFICANT number of drug seizures this year have come about as a direct
result of basic information supplied by members of the public.

Despite this increased level of co operation from the public, gardai seized
only an estimated 10% of illegal drug imports. But now, with specialised
drug units in each garda division, they are able to react swiftly to tip
offs and make arrests and seizures.

Over pounds 250,000 in cannabis resin destined for sale in Kerry over the
bank holiday weekend was seized closed to Killarney on Tuesday night
because an alert member of the public saw something suspicious and
contacted the gardai.

Gardai are convinced that more information from the public will lead to
more seizures.

“We have the resources in place now all over the country to react fast when
we get information,” one Garda source said. However, despite all the
seizures, the market for illegal drugs does not seem to be abating.
Seizures have not curtailed the supply of illegal drugs and the prices
charged by pushers have not risen following significant seizures.

“This means that despite the seizures we are making, an awful lot is still
getting through,” the Garda source said.

Gardai made a series of drug finds in a north Cork wood in June when over a
few days, stashes belonging to a Cork City drugs gang was recovered. The
drugs worth over pounds 1m were located in the wood and bogland near Naad
after a tip off from a local person.

Limerick man Patrick Scanlon, 39, of Loughall West, Foynes was charged on
June 30 with possession of 179 kilos of cannabis resin in Limerick and with
having the drugs for sale and supply to others. The haul of over 100 kilos
of cannabis resin in the city was worth in the region of pounds 1.7 million.

On June 16 two young Clare men Michael O’Halloran, 26, Sandfield Mews,
Ennis and Caimin McNamara, 23, of Limerick Road, New Market on Fergus
appeared in Limerick District Court in connection with the seizure of
almost pounds 400,000 worth of cannabis resin. Both men were charged with
possession of the drugs with intent to supply them to others. The drugs
were recovered at Roulagh, Ballina, Co. Tipperary.

On June 9 pounds 100,000 worth of cannabis was seized in Clondalkin.

On May 22 gardai in Wexford recovered 41 kilos of cannabis resin with a
street value of pounds 410,000. In Southill, in Limerick, 25 kilos of
cannabis resin with a street value of pounds 250,000 was recovered.

Over the first weekend in May, gardai recovered pounds 400,000 worth of
drugs in two separate finds.

Cork based detectives located 10 kilos of cannabis resin in a wooded area
between Kilworth and Ballyporeen. The haul was valued at pounds 100,000. In
Kilmainham in Dublin, gardai located drugs with a street value of pounds
300,000. The haul consisted mainly of cocaine and diamorphine.

On May 7 a joint gardai and RUC operation led to the seizure of pounds
850,000 worth of drugs in Balbriggan, Dublin.

Gardai in Slane, Co. Meath seized 20 kilos of cannabis resin with a street
value of pounds 200,000. On April 3 15 kilos of cannabis resin was
recovered in Dublin with a street value of pounds 150,000.

On March 18 gardai seized over pounds 2m worth of heroin after a raid in a
Dublin hotel. Over pounds 100,000 in cash was also recovered. This seizure
caused major supply problems in Dublin for one particular drugs gang. On
the same day pounds 100,000 worth of heroin was recovered in Lucan and 28
kilos of cannabis resin valued at pounds 280,000 was seized in Busaras in
Dublin.

On March 3 a 50 kilo haul of cannabis resin with a street value of pounds
500,000 was captured by gardai in Beaumont, Dublin. A pounds 150,000
shipment of 15 kilos of cannabis resin was seized at Dublin airport on
February 27.

On January 25 gardai in Limerick uncovered 18 kilos of cannabis resin with
an estimated street value of pounds 180,000 in a military cemetery on
King’s Island in the city.

On January 20 38 kilos of cannabis resin with a street value of pounds
400,000 was seized on Dublin’s North Circular Road.

On January 1 two kilos of cocaine was seized in Cork. It had a street value
of pounds 160,000.
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