'Substantial increase' in drugs coming into Ireland

Drug seizures at ports, airports, and mail centres in the Republic of Ireland have more than doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the Irish Revenue Service.

It said it's officials have seized €170 million (£143 million) worth of illegal drugs up to the end of August this year, compared with €75 million (£63 million) during the same period in 2023.

Over €3 million (£2.5 million) worth of cocaine and cannabis has been seized at Dublin Airport in the last two weeks.

Officers said smugglers were becoming "increasingly inventive," with a number of people being arrested having concealed substances inside their bodies.

"In recent days, revenue officers have carried out several intelligence-led operations, as a result of which over €3 million (£2.5 million) worth of cocaine and herbal cannabis were seized," a spokesperson added.

This included 258 cocaine pellets weighing 3.9 kg and 140 kg of herbal cannabis, which was discovered using detection dogs and x-ray machines.

The discoveries were made after officers stopped and searched a number of passengers who had arrived on separate flights originating from Brazil and Thailand.

Supt Darren McCarthy, who oversees policing at Dublin Airport, recently emphasised the severe risks associated with internal drug concealment.

During an interview on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, he highlighted that individuals who ingest drug pellets face significant health dangers.

He explained that those caught attempting to smuggle drugs internally often require hospital treatment.