Gardaí seized over half a million euro worth of drugs in 2023

Gardaí in Tipperary seized €564,318.03 worth of drugs last year.

That is according to the Chief Superintendent’s report at last week’s sitting of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee.

Chief Superintendent Aileen Magner said that although there are a lot of seizures, gardaí are “not resting on their laurels.”

“We do not pat ourselves on the back because we know what a scourge drugs are in communities up and down Tipperary,” said Chief Supt Magner.

The figures included various cannabis products, cocaine, ecstacy, heroin, methadonem benzodiazepines and many others.

But, Chief Supt Magner said cannabis herb and cocaine are the leading types of drugs seized in Tipperary.

Her presentation showed that the highest valued seizures were in Nenagh with €184,724 worth of drugs taken off the streets in 2023.

Nenagh was followed by Tipperary Town where €126,443 worth of drugs were seized.

Then came Thurles (€90, 217), Cahir (€85,275) and Clonmel (€77,659.03). Chief Supt Magner appealed to the public and councillors to come forward if they have information on drugs.

“Any drugs we can take off the streets, we gladly will do so,” said Chief Supt Magner.

CASHEL AND NENAGH

As part of the presentation, the JPC were given examples of specific seizures.

In July 2023, four black bags of cannabis were seized when gardaí searched a vehicle in Cashel.

The drugs were found in a hidden compartment between the rear seat and the boot.

Gardaí estimate their value to be around €55,000.

A man was arrested at the scene.

In December gardaí searched a house in the Nenagh area and seized €967.40 worth of cocaine.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

DETECTIONS

According to the Chief Superintendent’s report, 2402 proactive policing searches were conducted in Tipperary in 2023.

The searches uncovered mainly drugs but also firearms and offensive weapons.

However, both firearms and offensive weapons accounted for less than ten seizures each. There were 92 searches between November 2023 and January 2024 where gardaí found drugs for personal use.

This was one less incident compared to the previous three months and represented a decrease of one percent.

Clonmel had the highest number of incidents followed by Thurles, Cahir, Nenagh and Tipperary Town.
Incidents of drugs for sale and supply were up nine percent from 23 to 25 incidents.
Clonmel again led, followed by Nenagh, Thurles, Cahir and Tipperary Town.