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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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