On 1st July 2021 An Garda Síochána commenced an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy – Operation Tara.The operation will have a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing in cities, towns and villages across the country
The goal of Operation Tara is to protect communities from the scourge of illegal drugs in line with An Garda Síochána’s mission of Keeping People Safe.The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels – international, national, local – involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in the drug trade will be the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends.Throughout An Garda Síochána’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic Garda Commissioner Drew Harris highlighted that resources assigned to specialist units, including drugs units, were not affected by emergency measures.
During 2020 An Garda Síochána has resourced Divisional Drugs Units in all Garda Divisions in preparation for Operation Tara. As of 31st May 2021, 321 members are full time assigned to Divisional Drug Units across every Garda Division.
During 2020 An Garda Síochána seized in excess of:
- 137.8kg Cocaine €9.5million
- 368.6kg Cannabis €7.3 million
- 41.4kg Diamorphine €5.8 million
- 28.4kg/ 32,000 Amphetamines/ Tablets (MDMA/ LSD/ Ecstacy) €1.1 million
- 471,400 Benzodiazepine tablets €750,000