The operation codenamed "Hesitate” follows a six week covert operation aimed at identifying persons involved in the sale and supply of Drugs in the area (particularly the areas of St. Marys Mansions).
A Garda operation is underway in Dublin’s North Inner City. The operation was prompted by feedback from residents who engaged with Community Gardaí who were tasked with implementing the small areas community policy initiative in the North Inner City. The operation, which reflects the issues raised by the residents and Public Representatives who have supported this community oriented approach to policing, has resulted in a number of charges connected with the sale and supply of drugs. During the course of the six week operation Gardaí from Store Street and Mountjoy Garda Stations worked closely with members of the Garda National Drugs Unit with a view to gathering evidence against drug suppliers in the local communities.
The operation continues this morning with more that 60 members of An Garda Síochána from Dublin’s North Inner City and the Garda National Support Services including the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda Air Support Unit and the Garda Dog Unit.
Chief Superintendent Patrick Leahy speaking from Store Street Garda Station today stressed:
"This operation is being led out by the Community Policing Gardaí attached to the North Central Division and is a direct response to community concerns identified to community Gardaí.
To date more than 12,500 residents of the North Inner City have been interviewed by Community Gardaí in an effort to provide a more community focused customer centred approach to policing in the area ".
This significant operation is being conducted in addition to several smaller operations which reflect a bottom up approach to policing in the area.
At this point in the operation seven people have been arrested this morning and have been detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 in the following Garda stations; Store Street, Mountjoy, Clontarf and Kevin Street. During this morning operation, 0.5 Kilo of the drug PVP (estimated street value €17,000) has been seized along with smaller quantities of cannabis and other drugs paraphernalia. A car has also been seized and has been brought for technical examination to Store Street Garda Station.
The 7 (males) arrested include 5 adults and 2 juveniles (teenagers). All adults will appear in Court No 2 at the Criminal Courts of Justice later today. One of the juveniles will appear in the children’s court while one juvenile will be subject to the Juvenile Diversion programme. The operation is on-going.
Background
These arrests are in addition to 55 drug dealing arrests under Operation Spire and 38 under Operation Tempest in Dublins North Inner City in recent months which all forms part of the overall Community Policing approach in the area.
The Garda Síochána would like to thank the Lord Mayor, Local Councillors and the Community Policing Forum for their support and co-operation while this investigation and operation were underway. We are happy to report that all of the main suspects identified, targeted in today’s operations are currently arrested and it is expected they will be charged and brought before the courts later today.
The current operation reflects An Garda Síochána’s commitment to tackling the sale and supply of drugs at all levels in keeping with our commitments to the National Drugs Strategy. An Garda Síochána will continue to work together with community groups and individuals to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to protecting our society, individuals and their families from the harm and pain caused by drug use.
