U.S. Department of State
1996 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1997
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
IRELAND
I. Summary
Ireland is not a significant drug-producing country, but record cocaine
seizures in 1996 illustrate that it is increasingly used as a transit point
for narcotics destined to Europe. Ireland approved legislation which gave
authorities greater powers to combat drug trafficking. Ireland is a party to
the 1988 UN Convention
II. Status of Country
Large cocaine seizures off the Irish coast indicate that drug traffickers use
Ireland as a transshipment point. Ireland's extensive and largely unguarded
coastline provides clandestine landing sites for drugs shipments. Limited
customs controls within the European Union make it relatively easy to
transship drugs once they reach Ireland. Ecstasy is widely available
throughout the country, and its use is expanding. Heroin abuse is a serious
problem in inner-city Dublin. There is no evidence of significant money
laundering in Ireland. Ireland is not a significant source of precursor
chemicals used to manufacture illicit drugs.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. The Irish Government made the fight against drugs a
top priority in 1996. It enacted money laundering legislation, established
the Criminal Assets Bureau, approved the Criminal Justice (drug trafficking)
Act which gives police greater powers to detain and question suspected drug
traffickers, and gives the Irish Naval Service the power to make arrests at
sea. Irish voters also approved a referendum which permits judges to deny
bail to suspects who are likely to commit a serious offense (such as drug
trafficking) while free on bail.
Accomplishments. The Irish Government implemented its counternarcotics
master plan developed in 1995. The new Criminal Assets Bureau seized
substantial drug-related assets. During its presidency of the European Union
(EU) in 1996, Ireland led efforts to cooperate regionally by hosting
conferences and advancing on-going EU counternarcotics initiatives. The
Government of Ireland (GOI) established a ministerial task force to identify
measures to reduce the demand for drugs.
Enforcement Efforts. Counternarcotics law enforcement is a top priority
for the GOI. Irish Police, Customs, and Naval Service officials cooperated on
several interdiction operations which resulted in large cocaine seizures.
Police officials focused their counternarcotics efforts on the principal
narcotics traffickers in Ireland. Authorities detained approximately 5,000
persons for drugs offenses during the year.
Corruption. Although there were allegations of corruption among Irish
police officials in 1996, investigations revealed no evidence to support the
charges.
Agreements and Treaties. Ireland ratified the 1988 UN Convention in
July. On September 16, Ireland and the US signed a Customs mutual assistance
agreement. Ireland participates actively in EU counternarcotics programs
including EUROPOL. It is a member of the Dublin Group, and participates in
the UNDCP.
Cultivation/Production. Irish officials believe there is no significant
cultivation or production of drugs in Ireland. Authorities have reported
annual seizures of small amounts of cannabis plants in recent years.
Drug Flow/Transit. Cocaine trafficking through Ireland increased
dramatically. Irish authorities made record cocaine seizures of 50 kgs and
610 kgs off the Irish coast. They believe that the drugs were destined for
continental Europe and the UK. Officials also investigated a potential 3.5 mt
cocaine shipment that failed to materialize. All cocaine shipments originated
from South America and the Eastern Caribbean.
Demand Reduction/Domestic Programs. The GOI allocated $23 million to
implement the recommendations of a ministerial report on measures to reduce
demand for drugs. This three-year pilot program which began in September
targets primary students, their parents and disadvantaged pupils. According
to an EU report, Ireland's drug addicts are younger on average than in any
other EU member state; the average age of Irish addicts beginning treatment is
23 years, and 61 peercent of Irish addicts are under age 25. Of Dublin's
estimated 8,000 heroin addicts, 3,600 are undergoing some form of treatment,
including 2,600 on methadone maintenance. Although more than 1,200 addicts
were added to drug treatment lists in 1996, treatment facilities are still
inadequate.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. US and Irish law enforcement officials cooperated
informally on a number of drug trafficking cases. Forty-five Irish officials
attended a DEA/US Customs-sponsored two-day seminar in Dublin on law
enforcement cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking. The Irish
Naval Service and the US Coast Guard cooperated on maritime law enforcement
through two ship visits and two staff officer visits during the year.
The Road Ahead. The US looks forward to working closely with Ireland to
combat international narcotics trafficking and to advance multilateral
counternarcotics initiatives of common interest.
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