54 ALLEGED DRUG DEALERS APPEAR IN COURT

More arrests are expected as gardai continue the operation which resulted in
54 alleged drug-dealers being brought before courts in Dublin yesterday.

The 54 accused, who were all charged with possession of drugs with intent to
supply, were arrested in co-ordinated raids throughout the city at 6.30 a.m.
yesterday.

The arrests were made under Operation Cleanstreets, set up earlier this year
by Assistant Commissioner Mr Jim McHugh, and operated by the Garda national
drugs unit.

A "substantial" amount of heroin and IEP6,500 in cash were seized during the
early morning raids, according to a Garda source. Smaller quantities of
cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy were also seized.

Last night gardai were still quantifying the amount of heroin seized.
However, the source added that it was not uncommon for small dealers to have
30 to 40 packs of heroin, worth IEP20 each, in their possession.

Gardai have targeted 150 suspected heroin dealers in this latest phase of
the operation and intend to make further arrests over the coming days.

Those arrested yesterday were brought before the District Courts at the
Bridewell and Kilmainham. Some were remanded in custody, particularly in
cases where previous arrest warrants were outstanding, but the majority were
granted bail.

It is understood most of those arrested had not been detained under
Operation Cleanstreets previously. However, for some of them it was their
second or third arrest.

Dealers convicted since the operation began have been receiving sentences of
between eight and 10 months, the source added. Repeat offenders could expect
stiffer sentences, he said.

A unit consisting of more than 10 young gardai posing as drug addicts is
involved in the operation, with uniformed gardai providing back-up.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst