THE DRUGS MENACE

Last year the RUC seized illegal drugs with a street value of more than
UKP6m almost twice the previous years total sparking fears that the evil
trade is spiralling upwards.

However, according to Detective Superintendent David Thompson, head of the
Drug Squad, the statistics reflect more the unprecedented success of his
men and women rather than a drugs culture out of control.

Almost one third of the total value of the drugs recovered came in one
swoop at Belfast docks UKP2m worth of cannabis.

Police intelligence suggests the huge consignment was merely in transit
through the docks, from Britain to the Republic. It was too large for the
Northern Ireland market.

Another large haul this time 90,000 LSD tablets was made in Newry. This
time the evidence indicated that the drugs were probably for sale on both
sides of the border.

These finds distorted the statistics and the size of the drugs problem,
Supt Thompson says.

"We have to look behind the statistics for any one year. Certainly the
trade in illegal drugs in the province gives us cause for concern. We are
always alert to the fact that some people want drugs.

"But the number of people who abuse drugs does not seem to be growing. Our
intelligence would indicate that the level of abuse has levelled off.

"However I would add a warning. Whilst there is an apparent levelling off
of demand at this time, we would like to see that trend continue over a
much longer period of time and have further intelligence and evidence
before we would feel comfortable that that is the case", he adds.

"The main users of drugs are aged between 18 and 25. The number of people
involves fluctuates frequently as some outgrow the habit and younger ones
take their place. We can never be complacent and say that the level of
demand has peaked", Supt Thompson says.

Police believe the drugs trade in Northern Ireland is controlled by eight
to ten 'barons', who are known to them. These people generally operate
independently of the masterminds behind the drugs scene in the Republic,
although they may use each other as facilitators in deals. However, they do
not share the profits of their trade.

The doubling in size of the Drug Squad in 1996 by the then Chief Constable
Sir Hugh Annesley provided the unit with the resources to target the main
dealers and suppliers. Yet Supt Thompson admits it is difficult to get the
evidence which will stand up in court.

"These people generally work through intermediaries. They mastermind the
deals coming in from abroad but never handle the drugs themselves. Couriers
and street dealers, inevitably, are the people most likely to be caught in
the police net.

"And contrary to common speculation, there appears to be a decreasing
paramilitary involvement in the drugs trade. There are dealers who are
closely associated with the various terror groups but what hat they are
wearing when dealing drugs is questionable," Supt Thompson says.

"Such individuals are more likely to be aligned to loyalist paramilitary
groups than republican. But although the former terrorist organisations
keep their distance, they still claim a percentage of the profit from drug
dealings operating in their heartlands."Supt Thompson also dismisses
speculation that former paramilitaries will turn to drug dealing in future
to keep up the lifestyle previously financed by protection rackets or
robberies.

"There is a finite market in Northern Ireland and demand is currently met
by those masterminding the drugs trade. If others tried to muscle into
their operation it would cause aggravation and newcomers would not find it
easy to build up their supply networks", he adds.

The evidence also indicates that drug abuse is not as closely linked to
crimes such as robbery as is generally imagined. The vast majority of drugs
bought in the province is purchased out of income or even pocket money.

Crime, where it does occur, is often committed purely in desperation. There
have been cases of heroin addicts robbing their corner shop where they are
well known purely to finance the next hit.

In spite of last year's triumphs Supt Thompson is coy about blowing his
unit's trumpet too loudly. Customs and Excise officials estimate that about
10% of the drugs which come into Britain are recovered by them or police.

"I think we exceed that figure in Northern Ireland by a fair degree, but
the very nature of the trade makes its extremely difficult to quantify. One
advantage which we and the Gardai in the Republic have is that we are
single forces operating in a defined jurisdiction.

"In England and Wales there are 43 forces and it is therefore more
difficult to co-ordinate and collate all the facts and intelligence. Here
all intelligence is feed into a central drugs intelligence unit and agreed
action taken.

"We also work very closely with officials from Customs and Excise who are
responsible for taking action against the importation of drugs.

"The vast majority of drugs sold in Northern Ireland come in from the UK,
but they can also be brought in via the Republic or directly from the
Continent. Dealers naturally vary their routes to keep us guessing."The
ferry routes are favourite conduits with the drugs often hidden in lorries,
boots of cars or special hidden compartments in vehicles.

Sometimes the couriers try to brazen it out by scarcely hiding their booty.
One haul of 60,000 ecstasy tablets were found in a sports bag lying on the
back seat of a car stopped in Belfast.

Supt Thompson is under no illusion that police action alone can solve the
problems. Health and education authorities, parents and members of the
public also have important roles to play in treating abusers, educating
young people of the dangers of abuse and passing on information on dealers.

Anyone with information should contact their nearest Drug Unit through the
RUC Exchange (tel 650222) or through the Freephone Crimestoppers number
(tel 0800-555111).

Drug Seizures Supt Thompson admits that drugs are relatively freely
available throughout Northern Ireland. There are no particular blackspots,
other than Belfast and the larger provincial towns, but Ballymena does have
one peculiar trait.

It is there that heroin abuse is most pronounced, chiefly for historical
reasons. People from the Co Antrim market town became addicted to the drug
when in Britain and imported their habit when they returned home. The abuse
then spread among their associates in the area.

Most drug abusers in the province use cannabis or ecstasy on a recreational
basis. "The vast majority of abusers would not be classified as addicts.
They take an ecstasy tablet at a dance venue at the weekend and don't take
another until the following weekend.

"Cannabis, obviously, is more of a party drug as it cannot easily be
consumed in public. The number of people addicted to drugs can be counted
in the hundreds" Supt Thompson says.

Intelligence suggests that the amount of the highly addictive drugs such as
heroin, cocaine or the deadly crack cocaine circulating in the province is
small. Such drugs are generally brought in to meet specific demand.

Heroin, although relatively expensive to buy on the street, is used
generally by people on a low income bracket, whereas cocaine has a more
glamorous image and is most likely to be abused in the upmarket party scene.

The dealers have tailored their trade to meet local circumstances and
pockets. While prices are consistent with those charged in the rest of the
UK, the deals are smaller. Individual deals may be only a third of the size
of those carried out in Britain but at a third of the price.

However there is no evidence that young people are being given cheap
'tasters' of addictive drugs like heroin to get them hooked. Such practice
has caused great concern in other regions.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski