Senior gardaí seek extra anti-drugs resources

Senior gardaí have today called for additional resources to assist them in tackling the drugs trade in the State.

In a submission to the mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) called for improved staffing for local Garda drug units.

While there should be a specific drugs unit in each of the 28 Garda Divisions, according to the AGSI,  in some divisions they do not exist or are in place in name only. The AGSI said diverting officers from the drugs unit to other duties, which happened on a regular basis, was handicapping the fight against the distribution of drugs.

The AGSI wants two sergeants and ten gardai assigned to each drugs unit, a requirement of 336 gardai. A Garda spokesman said he did not have a figure for the number of officers attached to drugs units nationwide.

The AGSI was also critical of judges, who were accused of ignoring the mandatory sentence of 10 years for those convicted of possession of drugs for sale or supply with a street value of more than €12,000. According to the AGSI, only 10 per cent of offenders receive the mandatory sentence, leading to a wide inconsistency of sentencing.

Mr Joe Dirwan, the AGSI president said: "The situation is now so bad that these measures are urgently needed. Society needs to re-energise the battle to combat the evil of the drugs trade which is capable of destroying so many lives."

The association said it was now "extremely difficult" to arrest drug dealers unless they're caught in the act.

Mr Dirwan added: "Assets seized from drug dealers should be allocated to areas which suffer most from drug abuse."

The AGSI also demanded more sniffer dogs. It claimed  that sometimes up to one weeks' notice is required and that there are budgetary restraints put one the use of dogs.