€550m worth of drugs seized in 2008

Almost €550m of drugs were seized by customs officials and Gardaí last year, according to figures from the Revenue Commission.

That's compared to around €150m worth of drugs in 2007.

The organisation's end of year headline results show that over 6,600 drug seizures were made last year in Irish coastal waters and at ports and airports.

The figure includes an estimated €500m of cocaine, seized off the south west coast in November.

Over €55m worth of tobacco was also seized by customs in 2008.