There’s been an over 5400 % increase in the value of drugs seized in Kerry in the first quarter of this year in comparison to (all of) 2023.
That’s according to figures presented at the recent Kerry Joint Policing Committee Meeting.
The figures show that 493 drug seizures were made by the Kerry Garda Divisional Drug Unit last year.
Subject to formal analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) the total estimated value of the seizures was €600,514.
Cannabis (54%) and cocaine (43%) accounted for the majority of the drug detections in the county last year, with heroin, Amphetamine and other, making up the remainder, each at 1% or lower.
In the first three months of 2024, operations by the Kerry Divisional Drug Unit resulted in 115 drug seizures, with a value totalling over €33.5 million (subject to formal analysis by FSI).
In January cocaine worth over €32,000 was seized in Castleisland; while more than €110,000 of cannabis was seized in 2 seizures in Kenmare.
In February, seizures included €1.1 million of cannabis in Knocknagoshel; €30,000 worth of Cocaine in Listowel; while an operation by the Kerry Divisional Drug Unit resulted in the seizure of over €32 million worth of crystal meth - the country's largest ever crystal meth seizure.
In March, €17,000 worth of cocaine was seized in the Dingle area, while in the Listowel area €100,000 of cannabis was seized.
The figures show that the seizures by the Kerry Divisional Drug Unit are the highest in the state this year.
