1998 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
United States Department of State
February 26, 1999
IRELAND
I. Summary
Ireland continues to play a relatively small role in international drug
trafficking. However, drug abuse is on the rise, especially among
adolescents and teenagers. Irish authorities stepped up their efforts at
interdiction and demand reduction in 1998, and laid the groundwork for new
legislation expected in 1999. Ireland is a party to the 1988 UN Drug
Convention.
II. Status of Country
Recent drug seizures within the Republic and off its coast have confirmed
that Ireland is used as a transit point for the shipment of narcotics to
and from continental Europe. While the current flow of drugs is not thought
to be significant, Ireland's extensive and largely unguarded coastline
means that transshipment is likely to increase in the future. Ireland is
not a significant source of drugs or precursor chemicals, and money
laundering appears to be limited.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1998
Policy Initiatives. The Irish government continued to make anti-drug
efforts one of its top priorities. In 1998, authorities moved to
consolidate and expand the powers of the counternarcotics institutions
implemented in 1997. The government also announced plans to propose new
legislation concerning mandatory prison sentences for drug dealers, the
creation of an exclusive drug-court system, the use of banned sports drugs,
and money laundering reporting requirements. Ties were strengthened between
the Garda Siochana (National Police) and EUROPOL to include the
establishment of a EUROPOL liaison position in the Garda.
Accomplishments. Cultivation of narcotics in the Republic is limited to
small quantities of cannabis. Garda has been able to dismantle limited
indoor growing operations throughout the year. The Garda has noticed an
increase in methamphetamine and cocaine coming into Ireland, prompting
fears that domestic production of psychotropic substances may have started.
However, there is no evidence of domestic drug production within the
Republic, as yet. In 1998, there were record-breaking drug seizures, and
several large narcotics networks were dismantled. A continuing concern of
Irish authorities is that narco-traffickers are building more complex
networks and distribution systems which involve non-Irish criminals.
Ireland actively seeks the extradition of drug traffickers from
various states within the European Union. Irish agencies support and
work closely with international law enforcement communities.
Ireland signed bilateral agreements with the U.S. on customs
cooperation in 1996, and taxation in 1997. Officials of the USG and
Ireland held informal discussions last year regarding the possibility
of negotiating a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and held extradition
consultations. Irish counternarcotics organizations continue to work
closely with their counterparts in Europe and the US. In 1998, the Garda
developed the "Oisin Programme" aimed at promoting regional cooperation
between Garda and regional UK police departments, including the Royal
Ulster Constabulary, the Strathclyde Police, and the Dumfries and Galloway
Constabulary. A conference was held in Dublin on April 2 on crack cocaine
and methamphetamine which was attended by 60 delegates, including
two experts from local U.S. police departments.
Domestic Programs. Demand reduction programs are coordinated through an
inter-agency process linking cabinet level government officials with local
committees and task forces. The government recently announced its
commitment to create 13 new local drug task forces to facilitate education
and prevention programs. Rehabilitation programs are the responsibility of
health authorities. A new Garda water unit was added on the Shannon
Waterway to combat the flow of narcotics by boat. Funding was approved for
the recruitment of an additional 550 Gardai as part of the "Programme
for Government." The Irish Department of Justice proposed a minimum
mandatory 10-year sentence for those convicted of dealing drugs worth 10,
000 Irish pounds or more. The Department of Justice also proposed extending
mandatory sentences for money laundering to include accountants, lawyers
and real estate agents.
Irish authorities stepped up their interdiction of counternarcotics in
1998. This resulted in two historic drug busts, as Garda and Irish Customs
carried out Ireland's largest cocaine and heroin seizures ever, which
together netted approximately $158 million worth of narcotics. It is
estimated that Irish authorities seized over $112 million worth of heroin
this year alone. The street price of heroin remains steady, around $40 a
gram. Garda "walk about" operations, such as "Dochas," "Mainstreet"
and "Cleanstreet," have seized drugs worth up to $4.74 million and have
resulted in significant numbers of arrests.
The Irish defense forces also contribute to anti-narcotics efforts in
Ireland. The Navy sees drug interdiction as one of its major roles while
patrolling the territorial waters of Ireland. The Irish Navy hosts an
annual meeting to coordinate maritime counternarcotics operations between
the Navy, the Garda and Irish Customs. It also conducts several annual
maritime exercises with the British Navy specifically to interdict
narcotics trafficking. During the past year, the Irish Navy has provided
technical assistance, professional expertise and diving support in several
drug seizures aboard vessels at sea. The Irish Air Corps supplies a variety
of aircraft in support of these operations.
Corruption. There were no verifiable instances of police or other official
corruption related to drug activities in 1998.
Agreements and Treaties. The United States and Ireland have an Extradition
Treaty from 1984, as well as customs cooperation and taxation agreements.
Ireland is also a party to the 1961 UN Single Convention and its 1972
Protocol, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 UN
Drug Convention, the Council of Europe Conventions on mutual assistance in
criminal matters, and the EUROPOL Convention and EU-U.S. agreements on
chemical precursors. Ireland is a member of the Dublin Group and has
assumed the Chairmanship this year. As a participant in the UNDCP, Ireland
contributed approximately $279,000 to the organization's funds in
1998.
The USG has concluded a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) with the
Government of Ireland. In addition, Ireland is a party to the World Customs
Organization's International Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance
for the Prevention, Investigation, and Repression of Customs Offenses
(Nairobi Convention), Annex X on Assistance in Narcotics Cases.
Cultivation and Production. In 1998, Irish authorities continued to seize
relatively small numbers of marijuana plants. Cannabis is grown indoors
using hydroponic methods. The Garda is concerned about possible development
of synthetic drug production facilities, but as yet, has no evidence of
that.
Drug Flow/Transit. 1998 saw record seizures indicating increased
trafficking of narcotics through and into Ireland. Irish authorities have
acknowledged that the Republic acts as a "gateway" for imports of cannabis,
cocaine and amphetamines to continental Europe. Cocaine is believed to
originate in Colombia, other countries in Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Cannabis and amphetamine shipments are believed to originate in The
Netherlands and eastern Europe. Additionally, Ireland has received heroin
shipments through Liverpool, UK.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. U.S. and Irish counternarcotics cooperation is
excellent. In addition to handling requests for investigative assistance
and background information, officials have often been involved in joint
operations and investigations. Most notably, U.S. officials joined with
members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Irish customs and the Garda to
help in the recent seizure of 320 kilograms of cocaine, valued at around
$140 million in Ireland. This was the largest cocaine bust in Irish history,
and ostensibly broke up a major distribution network in Ireland.
The Road Ahead. As Ireland continues in its efforts to upgrade its
counternarcotics agenda, the U.S. will seek to increase its level of
cooperation and assistance with Irish authorities on all levels. Continued
emphasis is placed upon Irish coordination efforts with other EU member
states.
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