Seizures fail to impact on availability of drugs

THE availability of illegal drugs is not being affected greatly despite seizures of massive quantities of drugs, according to government and garda sources.

Minister of State with responsibility for drugs, Noel Ahern, said that while the recent seizures and operations were to be applauded, he was concerned at the overall impact on supply.

"We can be very pleased and happy when we get one of them, but it's one out of how many? We don't seem to be making them (traffickers) much pain," Mr Ahern said.