Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
670. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the quantity, by weight and the economic street value, of cocaine seized by Gardaí in each of the past ten years, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37760/25]
View answerTackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups who inflict harm on families and communities remains a top priority for the Government and for my Department.
Gardaí have an ongoing operation across the country to target street level drug dealing named Operation Tara. It seeks to disrupt and dismantle the drug trafficking networks that impact on our communities and prosecute those involved at every level.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), established in 2015, leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. Since its establishment, the unit has seized €627 million in illicit drugs, 171 firearms and 6,586 rounds of ammunition, and made 1,722 arrests.
These efforts are supported through record levels of Government investment, including an allocation of over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025, a 27% increase since 2020.
I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that data on drug seizures from the Garda PULSE system is considered operational/preliminary and not suitable for publication.
However, national-level drug seizure data is published following Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) analysis. These official statistics can be accessed via the annual reports of:
• An Garda Síochána:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/annual%20reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-reports/
• Forensic Science Ireland:
forensicscience.ie/corporate-services/annual-reports/
I remain committed to supporting the work of An Garda Síochána in disrupting the illegal drug trade and strengthening community safety across the country.
