Revenue confirms risk checks 'from time to time' at private airfields

A light aircraft which was seized by gardai investigating the discovery of €8.4m worth of cocaine. Picture: An Garda Siochana/PA

There are almost 70 private airfields in the country and Customs conducts risk assessments to determine whether “a physical presence is required at these locations from time to time”, according to a Revenue statement.

It follows strong criticism in the criminal courts last week, where a trial judge described as “extraordinary” evidence that private airfields operated as “open corridors” for drug trafficking.

Sentencing a man in relation to the smuggling of 120kg of cocaine on board a light aircraft, flown from a private aerodrome in France to Abbeyshrule Aerodrome in Longford in August 2022, Judge Keenan Johnson called for a “significant upgrading” of security at private airfields and for 24-hour monitoring and checks.

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The comments sparked calls from opposition parties for a review of security at the airfields.

New Revenue figures show a significant increase in the quantity of ecstasy and amphetamines seized so far this year and a larger amount of cannabis seized.

The amount of cocaine seized has fallen dramatically so far, but this was after a number of record hauls in 2023.

In a statement to the Irish Examiner, Revenue said that airfields are governed by the Customs Act 2005, under which Revenue approval is required for aerodromes that cater for international flights.

“This enables Revenue to impose conditions upon the operators of such aerodromes in order to maximise the effectiveness of controls,” the statement said.

“There are currently 69 aerodromes, and activity levels at all these locations is evaluated and monitored on an ongoing basis and a risk-based determination as to whether a physical presence is required at these locations from time to time is undertaken by Revenue.” 

Attendance at these locations by Revenue’s Customs staff is normally unannounced, but circumstances may require that arrangements are made to ensure personnel and records are available.” 

It said Revenue’s strategy to tackle drug smuggling involves “developing and sharing intelligence” on a national, EU and international basis and the use of analytics and detection technologies.

It said Revenue has strong partnerships at international level, including Europol and the EU Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics (MAOC-N).

“Revenue liaison officers are stationed in both Europol and MAOC-N," the statement said. "These officers work closely with international colleagues in identifying the transnational risks associated with drug smuggling into the State.” 

Revenue figures on drug seizures show:

• 2.8 tonnes of cannabis seized, in 1,600 cases to end of May 2024, compared to 3.5 tonnes (2,513 cases) in 2023;
• 74kgs of cocaine and heroin seized (28 cases), compared to 3.18 tonnes (111 cases) in2023;
• 3.87 tonnes of ecstasy, amphetamines and other drugs (2,951 cases) in to May 2024, compared to 2.4 tonnes (6,593 cases) in 2023.

The recent European Drug Market Report by the EU Drugs Agency and Europol, published last May, said the detection of drug consignments in general aviation, which includes private flights, was “particularly challenging”.