BALLINA DRUG SEIZURES RISE FROM EIGHT TO FORTY EIGHT IN TEN
YEARS

Inspector Joe Doherty, responding to a question from Fine Gael
councillor Michelle Mulherin about drug detection in the town,
outlined the work done by the drugs squads in Mayo. He informed the
Ballina joint policing committee that the number of seizures of drugs
in the Ballina area has risen dramatically in the past 10 years. "In
the Ballina district in 1999 there were eight seizures of drugs," he
said. "In 2009 there were 48, which included three for cocaine, four
for ecstasy for sale and supply, two for possession of ecstasy, 22 for
possession of cannabis resins, and three for sale and supply of
cannabis resin. There were also 10 seizures for personal use of
cannabis grass and one for sale and supply of cannabis grass."

Inspector Doherty praised the work of the detective sergeant over the
unit and the different members who are assigned to the unit from time
to time. He also told the meeting that the drugs gardai work very
closely with community gardai in the town.

Independent councillor Gerry Ginty raised the issue of headshops in
the town and asked what plans the Inspector had to deal with them.
Inspector Doherty told the meeting: "The gardai have just carried out
an operation in the town where we had plain clothes gardai in the area
of the shops, and speak to the people coming in and out of the shops
asking them questions, including their age and the like. I have also
taken it upon myself and my sergeants to visit the shop and speak to
them in regards to the their responsibilities under the Children's Act
which made it an offence to sell anything to a minor which could be
abused. We have brought this to the attention of the operators, and if
there is a complaint from a parent or minor it will be investigated
fully and we will be looking for legal advice on how to proceed."