MORE DRUG ARRESTS PLANNED

Further arrests of suspected heroin dealers are to be made in the coming
days as part of the Garda undercover operation, Clean street II.

A total of 42 alleged dealers arrested yesterday in early-morning raids
appeared in Dublin and Kilmainham District Courts.

Gardai have identified almost 30 other suspected pushers whom they are
seeking to arrest.

Yesterday's arrests were made by almost 50 gardai from six city divisions
who raided the homes of suspected dealers throughout Dublin from 8 a.m. The
raids followed a four-week undercover operation involving a core group of 10
gardai who bought heroin and, to a lesser extent, cannabis, at well-known
drug-dealing locations.

More than 70 suspected pushers were identified and almost 200 "deals", each
worth about IEP10, were recovered. Gardai said the arrests would continue
until all those identified were in custody.

The initiative, co-ordinated by the National Drugs Unit at Dublin Castle,
was welcomed by antidrugs campaigners.

Assistant Commissioner Jim McHugh, who is in charge of the operation, said
it began a month ago when gardai began "going into areas where we knew drug
dealing was going on" and waited to be approached by pushers.

Among the areas targeted were St Michael's estate in Inchicore, Ballyfermot,
Dolphin's Barn, Coolock, Drumcondra, Rialto and Finglas. The city-centre
operation included O'Connell Street and Gardiner Street. It is the second
time gardai have used these tactics under Operation Cleanstreet. A similar
operation in January resulted in more than 25 arrests, mainly in the north
inner city and Ballymun.

Assistant Commissioner McHugh said it had proved to be a very successful
approach to combating drug dealing on the streets.

"We are constantly looking at new strategies. One is having people visible
on the street. But in order to really get results we have to change tactics
and introduce new ideas."

He admitted, however, that enforcement on its own would not succeed. "The
drug problem is a treatment and education issue as well. As long as there is
a demand out there, there will be suppliers. Demand reduction is what we
have to focus on in the long term."

Checked-by: "Rolf Ernst"