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Western Region Drugs Task Force

Chief Superintendent Patrick Diskin leads the Western Region Drugs Task Force in their efforts to reduce drug supply, minimize drug use, provide treatment and rehabilitation, and gather data. This text discusses their strategic aims, action points, types of drugs available, recent drug seizures, local and national operations, significant convictions, and the role of drugs in criminal activity.

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Western Region Drugs Task Force

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

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

  3. Overall Strategic Aims • 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

  4. 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.

  5. National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 5 Pillars • Supply Reduction • Prevention • Treatment • Rehabilitation • Research

  6. Resources

  7. Action Points • 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.

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

  9. Action Point 7 • 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

  10. Underage persons involved in S&S of Drugs • 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.

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

  12. Source of Drugs • Dublin • Meath • Galway • Sligo • Limerick • Mullingar

  13. Grow House Discoveries in the Western Region January – April 2014

  14. Statistics 2014 + 2015 to date

  15. Regional Drug Seizures • Clare – December 2014 Operation Coronation 45kilos (€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

  16. Local Operations 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

  17. Local Operations 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.

  18. National Operations • Operation Cogset – drug importation €4.7m • Operation Nitrogen – cannabis cultivation €23m • Operation Bill 2 – illicit drugs importation €1.3m • Operation Pallet – drug importation and distribution within the state €1.6m • Operations Purse and Misspent – tactical operations which evolved into controlled deliveries €9m

  19. Significant Convictions • Clare – Heroin Dealer awaiting sentence • Galway – 2014 3 males sentenced to 7 years each for possession of €2.4m cannabis plants • Mayo – 2014 Possession of cocaine for S&S 5 years • Rosc/Longford – 2014 Cultivation of cannabis plants value €213,600 – 5 years.

  20. Drugs & Alcohol Root of Problem Assaults Psychiatric Issues Public Order/Anti-Social Behaviour Criminal Activity Domestic Disputes

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

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

  23. 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

  24. Initiatives • 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)

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

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