Mayo gardaí target drug minnows to help catch 'sharks'

GARDAI in Mayo are targeting 'small time' users of drugs in the belief that the policy will eventually lead to them netting some of the bigger fish involved in the local drugs industry.

Focussing on small time users – what is known as simple possession of drugs – can eventually lead to suppliers being identified.

Outlining statistics for the division, Chief Supt. Diskin said that so far this year there have been 14 detections for possession of cannabis plants, and 49 detections for possession of drugs for sale or supply - an additional 27 on this time last year.

As regards simple possession of drugs, there have been 158 detections - 53 more than the same time last year, approximately 15% of an increase on last year.

Dealing with other aspects of policing, officer said that serious assaults are down by 15% this year but the incidence of minor assaults has increased slightly.

There have been 247 recorded so far this year, up 17 on this time last year – an increase of seven per cent.

Many of the minor assaults occur in nightclubs and discos, the chief supt. reported, a reflection of the fact that there are more people socialising as the night-time economy improves.

Up to last week, 195 people had been arrested this year for drink driving in Mayo, a decrease of 20 - or nine per cent - on the corresponding period in 2017.

But, on the other hand, the incidence of drug driving has increased. So far this year there have been 14 drugs detections.

In total, between drugs and alcohol, there have been 209 detections, in or around four detections per week.

"Unfortunately, it (the figures) shows that people are still drinking and driving," the chief supt. commented.