Western Region Drugs Western Region Drugs Task ForceTask Force

Chief Superintendent Chief Superintendent

Patrick DiskinPatrick Diskin

1212thth March 2015 March 2015

Western RegionWestern RegionDivisionsDivisions

Four DivisionsFour Divisions Galway - C/Supt. Tom CurleyGalway - C/Supt. Tom Curley Mayo - C/Supt. Patrick DiskinMayo - C/Supt. Patrick Diskin Roscommon/Longford – C/Supt. Roscommon/Longford – C/Supt.

Padraig Padraig RattiganRattigan

Clare – C/Supt. John KerinClare – C/Supt. John Kerin

Overall Strategic AimsOverall Strategic Aims

Create a safer society through reduction of supply Create a safer society through reduction of supply and availability of drugs for illicit useand availability of drugs for illicit use

Minimise problem drug use throughout societyMinimise problem drug use throughout society Provide appropriate and timely substance Provide appropriate and timely substance

treatment and rehabilitation servicestreatment and rehabilitation services Ensure availability of accurate, timely, relevant Ensure availability of accurate, timely, relevant

and comparable data on extent and nature of and comparable data on extent and nature of problem substance use in Irelandproblem substance use in Ireland

Have in place an efficient and effective Have in place an efficient and effective framework for implementing the National framework for implementing the National Substance MisuseSubstance Misuse

Overall Strategic ObjectiveOverall Strategic Objective

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

National Drugs Strategy 2009-National Drugs Strategy 2009-20162016

5 Pillars5 Pillars

1.1. Supply ReductionSupply Reduction

2.2. PreventionPrevention

3.3. TreatmentTreatment

4.4. RehabilitationRehabilitation

5.5. ResearchResearch

ResourcesResourcesDivisionDivision GdaGda SgtSgt InspInsp SuptSupt C/SuptC/Supt A/CA/C DrugsDrugs

ClareClare 243243 3737 55 22 11 44

GalwayGalway 467467 8181 1111 66 11 11 88

MayoMayo 243243 4545 44 44 11 55

Rosco/Rosco/

LongforLongfordd

227227 5151 44 33 11 55

TotalTotal 11811800

214214 2424 1515 44 11 2222

Action PointsAction Points

Action point 5 – Develop a framework to Action point 5 – Develop a framework to provide an appropriate response to the provide an appropriate response to the issue of drug related intimidation in the issue of drug related intimidation in the community.community.

Action point 7 – Develop an initiative to Action point 7 – Develop an initiative to target adults involved in the drugs trade target adults involved in the drugs trade who are using young children to engage in who are using young children to engage in illegal activities associated with the drugs illegal activities associated with the drugs trade.trade.

Action Point 5Action Point 5

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

Action Point 7Action Point 7

September 2014 Mayo Division – male September 2014 Mayo Division – male targeted who was suspected to be using targeted who was suspected to be using children in the distribution of drugs.children in the distribution of drugs.

Male apprehended with significant Male apprehended with significant amount of heroin, ecstasy, cannabis herb amount of heroin, ecstasy, cannabis herb and amphetamine - fled jurisdictionand amphetamine - fled jurisdiction

Awaiting to be chargedAwaiting to be charged

Underage persons involved Underage persons involved in S&S of Drugsin S&S of Drugs

Underage persons do not feature greatly as Underage persons do not feature greatly as suspected offenders in Section 15 MDA suspected offenders in Section 15 MDA detections.detections.

Mayo – November 2014Mayo – November 2014

2 juveniles arrested in relation to sale & 2 juveniles arrested in relation to sale & supply of cannabis herb in secondary school.supply of cannabis herb in secondary school.

Investigation being carried out into S&S of Investigation being carried out into S&S of cannabis herb and ecstasy in two other cannabis herb and ecstasy in two other secondary schools.secondary schools.

Types of Drugs AvailableTypes of Drugs Available

Heroin (Diamorphine)Heroin (Diamorphine) Crystal MethCrystal Meth CocaineCocaine Ecstasy Tablets (MDMA)Ecstasy Tablets (MDMA) MDMA (Powder Form)MDMA (Powder Form) HeroinHeroin Speed (Amphetamine)Speed (Amphetamine) KetamineKetamine MethadroneMethadrone Acid TabsAcid Tabs Cannabis HerbCannabis Herb Cannabis ResinCannabis Resin

Source of DrugsSource of Drugs

DublinDublin MeathMeath GalwayGalway SligoSligo LimerickLimerick MullingarMullingar

Grow House Discoveries in the Grow House Discoveries in the Western Region January – April Western Region January – April

20142014DivisionDivision No.No. ValueValue

ClareClare 1111 €€1,800,0001,800,000

(2,250 plants)(2,250 plants)

GalwayGalway 66 €€470,400470,400

(588 plants)(588 plants)

RoscommoRoscommon- Longfordn- Longford

44 €€102,400102,400

(128 plants)(128 plants)

TotalTotal 2121 €€2,372,8002,372,800

(2966 plants)(2966 plants)

Statistics 2014 + 2015 to Statistics 2014 + 2015 to datedate

GalwaGalwayy

MayMayoo

Ros/Ros/LongLong

ClarClaree

RegioRegionn

CultivatioCultivationn

2626 1414 1717 2424 8181

Sale & Sale & SupplySupply

179179 2929 4545 8484 337337

Simple Simple PossessioPossessionn

452452 130130 180180 363363 11251125

Searches Searches 20952095 504504 714714 11011077

44204420

Regional Drug SeizuresRegional Drug Seizures

Clare – December 2014 Operation Coronation Clare – December 2014 Operation Coronation 45kilos (€900,000) Cannabis Herb45kilos (€900,000) Cannabis Herb

Galway – 2014 148 detections for Sec 15 Galway – 2014 148 detections for Sec 15 S&S. Cannabis valued at €120,000, €100,000 S&S. Cannabis valued at €120,000, €100,000 and €40,000. Heroin (numerous seizures) and €40,000. Heroin (numerous seizures) €5000 range.€5000 range.

Roscommon – 2014 Cannabis Herb - Roscommon – 2014 Cannabis Herb - €123,220. Cannabis plants €91,200€123,220. Cannabis plants €91,200

Mayo – 2015 Cannabis plants - €79,200Mayo – 2015 Cannabis plants - €79,200

Local OperationsLocal Operations

GalwayGalway Operation SandmanOperation Sandman

target street dealers in Galway City – target street dealers in Galway City – GNDU test purchasesGNDU test purchases

Operation Turbo ChargeOperation Turbo Charge

monitor sale of heroin. In 2015 six (6) monitor sale of heroin. In 2015 six (6) heroin dealers successfully targetedheroin dealers successfully targeted

Local OperationsLocal Operations

Roscommon/ LongfordRoscommon/ Longford Operation ImpedeOperation Impede

Target main suppliers of Drugs supplies.Target main suppliers of Drugs supplies. Operation TalamhOperation Talamh

Drugs Unit, Traffic, Longford Garda Drugs Unit, Traffic, Longford Garda personnel, Longford County Council personnel, Longford County Council

target drug dealing in Ardnacassa area target drug dealing in Ardnacassa area of Longford Town.of Longford Town.

National OperationsNational Operations

Operation Cogset – drug importation €4.7mOperation Cogset – drug importation €4.7m Operation Nitrogen – cannabis cultivation €23mOperation Nitrogen – cannabis cultivation €23m Operation Bill 2 – illicit drugs importation Operation Bill 2 – illicit drugs importation

€1.3m€1.3m Operation Pallet – drug importation and Operation Pallet – drug importation and

distribution within the state €1.6mdistribution within the state €1.6m Operations Purse and Misspent – tactical Operations Purse and Misspent – tactical

operations which evolved into controlled operations which evolved into controlled deliveries €9mdeliveries €9m

Significant ConvictionsSignificant Convictions

Clare – Heroin Dealer awaiting sentenceClare – Heroin Dealer awaiting sentence Galway – 2014 3 males sentenced to 7 Galway – 2014 3 males sentenced to 7

years each for possession of €2.4m years each for possession of €2.4m cannabis plantscannabis plants

Mayo – 2014 Possession of cocaine for Mayo – 2014 Possession of cocaine for S&S 5 yearsS&S 5 years

Rosc/Longford – 2014 Cultivation of Rosc/Longford – 2014 Cultivation of cannabis plants value €213,600 – 5 cannabis plants value €213,600 – 5 years.years.

Assaults

Criminal ActivityDomesti

c Dispute

s

Drugs & AlcoholRoot of Problem

Psychiatric

Issues

Public Order/Anti-

Social Behaviour

Disposal of Incidents by Adult CautionDisposal of Incidents by Adult Caution

IntoxicationFCPS

(Fixed Charge Penalty Notice)

Fine not paid.

Court

Adult Caution

No ConvictionMajority do not re-offend.

Conviction/Otherwise Disposed of

DrugsNo Adult Caution Facility

Conviction/Otherwise Disposed of

Court Appearance

Courts play a significant role in Courts play a significant role in RehabilitationRehabilitation

Court involves the Probation Services if appropriate

GardaiProbation

Service

Advise on levelof enagagement

Advise on Co-operation

Case disposed of accordingly

InitiativesInitiatives

Up-skilling of Gardai – CPD – Drugs Up-skilling of Gardai – CPD – Drugs LegislationLegislation

Allocation of Gardai to Divisional Drugs Allocation of Gardai to Divisional Drugs Units on a rotational basisUnits on a rotational basis

Up-skilled Gardai share experience with Up-skilled Gardai share experience with district membersdistrict members

Visits/Presentations to schools/collegesVisits/Presentations to schools/colleges Presentations to parents/teachersPresentations to parents/teachers Presumptive Testing – (Swift Justice)Presumptive Testing – (Swift Justice)

Underage Drinking/DiscosUnderage Drinking/Discos

Significant Operation put in place.Significant Operation put in place. Extra ResourcesExtra Resources Ambulance ServiceAmbulance Service Accident & Emergency ServicesAccident & Emergency Services GardaiGardai HotelsHotels Public RepresentativesPublic Representatives MediaMedia CommunityCommunity