Ireland joins initiative to tackle cocaine trafficking

The Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan was in Portugal today to launch a new international effort to tackle cocaine trafficking.

Lenihan was joining his counterparts from the six other EU countries which are involved in the initiative.

They are to open a new centre in Lisbon today, which will co-ordinate intelligence between police and the military in each country.

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre will be equipped with high-level intelligence systems and a rapid response team to intercept drugs gangs.

It will target in particular the increasing shipments of cocaine into Europe from South America.