Western Region Drugs Task Force Chief Superintendent Patrick

Western Region Drugs Task Force Chief Superintendent Patrick Diskin 12 th March 2015

Western Region Divisions n n Four Divisions Galway - C/Supt. Tom Curley Mayo - C/Supt. Patrick Diskin Roscommon/Longford – C/Supt. Padraig Rattigan Clare – C/Supt. John Kerin

Overall Strategic Aims n n n Create a safer society through reduction of supply and availability of drugs for illicit use Minimise problem drug use throughout society Provide appropriate and timely substance treatment and rehabilitation services Ensure availability of accurate, timely, relevant and comparable data on extent and nature of problem substance use in Ireland Have in place an efficient and effective framework for implementing the National Substance Misuse

Overall Strategic Objective To continue to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.

National Drugs Strategy 2009 -2016 5 Pillars 1. Supply Reduction 2. Prevention 3. Treatment 4. Rehabilitation 5. Research

Resources Division Gda Sgt Insp Supt C/Supt A/C Drugs Clare 243 37 5 2 1 4 Galway 467 81 11 6 1 Mayo 243 45 4 4 1 5 Rosco/ Longford 227 51 4 3 1 5 Total 1180 214 24 15 4 1 1 8 22

Action Points n n Action point 5 – Develop a framework to provide an appropriate response to the issue of drug related intimidation in the community. Action point 7 – Develop an initiative to target adults involved in the drugs trade who are using young children to engage in illegal activities associated with the drugs trade.

Action Point 5 n In 2014 there were 3 reports of drug related intimidation in Clare Division – no formal complaints

Action Point 7 n n n September 2014 Mayo Division – male targeted who was suspected to be using children in the distribution of drugs. Male apprehended with significant amount of heroin, ecstasy, cannabis herb and amphetamine - fled jurisdiction Awaiting to be charged

Underage persons involved in S&S of Drugs n n n Underage persons do not feature greatly as suspected offenders in Section 15 MDA detections. Mayo – November 2014 2 juveniles arrested in relation to sale & supply of cannabis herb in secondary school. Investigation being carried out into S&S of cannabis herb and ecstasy in two other secondary schools.

Types of Drugs Available n n n Heroin (Diamorphine) Crystal Meth Cocaine Ecstasy Tablets (MDMA) MDMA (Powder Form) Heroin Speed (Amphetamine) Ketamine Methadrone Acid Tabs Cannabis Herb Cannabis Resin

Source of Drugs n n n Dublin Meath Galway Sligo Limerick Mullingar

Grow House Discoveries in the Western Region January – April 2014 Division No. Clare 11 Galway 6 Roscommon. Longford 4 Total 21 Value € 1, 800, 000 (2, 250 plants) € 470, 400 (588 plants) € 102, 400 (128 plants) € 2, 372, 800 (2966 plants)

Statistics 2014 + 2015 to date Galway Mayo Ros/Long Clare Region Cultivation 26 14 17 24 81 Sale & Supply Simple Possession Searches 179 29 45 84 337 452 130 180 363 1125 2095 504 714 1107 4420

Regional Drug Seizures n n Clare – December 2014 Operation Coronation 45 kilos (€ 900, 000) Cannabis Herb Galway – 2014 148 detections for Sec 15 S&S. Cannabis valued at € 120, 000, € 100, 000 and € 40, 000. Heroin (numerous seizures) € 5000 range. Roscommon – 2014 Cannabis Herb - € 123, 220. Cannabis plants € 91, 200 Mayo – 2015 Cannabis plants - € 79, 200

Local Operations n n Galway Operation Sandman target street dealers in Galway City – GNDU test purchases Operation Turbo Charge monitor sale of heroin. In 2015 six (6) heroin dealers successfully targeted

Local Operations n n Roscommon/ Longford Operation Impede Target main suppliers of Drugs supplies. Operation Talamh Drugs Unit, Traffic, Longford Garda personnel, Longford County Council target drug dealing in Ardnacassa area of Longford Town.

National Operations n n n Operation Cogset – drug importation € 4. 7 m Operation Nitrogen – cannabis cultivation € 23 m Operation Bill 2 – illicit drugs importation € 1. 3 m Operation Pallet – drug importation and distribution within the state € 1. 6 m Operations Purse and Misspent – tactical operations which evolved into controlled deliveries € 9 m

Significant Convictions n n Clare – Heroin Dealer awaiting sentence Galway – 2014 3 males sentenced to 7 years each for possession of € 2. 4 m cannabis plants Mayo – 2014 Possession of cocaine for S&S 5 years Rosc/Longford – 2014 Cultivation of cannabis plants value € 213, 600 – 5 years.

Drugs & Alcohol Root of Problem Assaults Psychiatri c Issues Public Order/Anti. Social Behaviour Domestic Disputes Criminal Activity

Disposal of Incidents by Adult Caution Intoxication Adult Caution FCPS (Fixed Charge Penalty Notice) Fine not paid. Court No Conviction Majority do not re-offend. Conviction/Otherwise Disposed of

Drugs No Adult Caution Facility Court Appearance Conviction/Otherwise Disposed of

Courts play a significant role in Rehabilitation Court involves the Probation Services if appropriate Gardai Probation Service Advise on Co-operation Advise on level of enagagement Case disposed of accordingly

Initiatives n n n Up-skilling of Gardai – CPD – Drugs Legislation Allocation of Gardai to Divisional Drugs Units on a rotational basis Up-skilled Gardai share experience with district members Visits/Presentations to schools/colleges Presentations to parents/teachers Presumptive Testing – (Swift Justice)

Underage Drinking/Discos Significant Operation put in place. n n n n Extra Resources Ambulance Service Accident & Emergency Services Gardai Hotels Public Representatives Media Community