Country faces major battle with synthetic opioids, says senior drugs garda

Detective Chief Superintendent Séamus Boland said: 'The issues in Portlaoise Prison feed back into the dangers of the synthetic opioids, and these synthetic opioids that are actually available are causing similar problems all across Ireland since late last November.' Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

A senior garda has said there has been no seizures of fentanyl in Ireland yet, but the country is facing a major battle with synthetic opioids.

Detective Chief Superintendent Séamus Boland was speaking after gardaí were involved in three major drugs seizures at Irish ports in the past week. The seizures also came as 11 prisoners were rushed to hospital from Portlaoise Prison for drug overdoses.