'Overall responsibility' for prevention of drug trafficking rests with Revenue and gardaí, not Defence Forces 

The Department of Defence said drug interdiction was just one of the many duties of the Naval Service, which range from fishery protection and search and rescue to maritime defence and security operations. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Department of Defence has said “overall responsibility” for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Revenue Customs Services and An Garda Síochána, rather than the Defence Forces.

In a statement, the department said drug interdiction was just one of the many duties of the Naval Service, which range from fishery protection and search and rescue to maritime defence and security operations.