Cocaine seizure - No room for complacency over drugs

The seizure of 1.5 tonnes of cocaine off the south-west coast in the early hours of yesterday morning was the largest drugs shipment ever intercepted by Irish authorities.

The operation, which was conducted by a combined force of Garda, Customs and Naval Service, highlights the growing drug problems confronting this country.

While those involved in the seizure can take satisfaction for a job well done, people should realise that drug seizures normally represent only a proportion of the drug being imported. Ireland ranks fourth highest in Europe for people who have used cocaine at some stage of their lives. The report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) indicates that cocaine use is more common among young adults. This country actually ranks third in cocaine use among the younger adults in the 14 to 24 age group. The number of cocaine seizures in this country almost trebled from 2003 to 2006.