Families use loans to pay drug debt
Gardaí adopt new approach to tackling intimidation
Families have resorted to taking out credit union loans to repay drug debts, a meeting of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee has heard.
In a presentation on drug-related intimidation, Inspector James White told the JPC about the problems local families have encountered where a loved one owes money to drug dealers and does not have the means to pay. Inspector White spoke of severe penalties meted out by dealers, who could up a €2,000 debt to €7,000 or even €8,000.
He said gardaí never advocate payment of a debt, as the money only goes back into criminality. But in the majority of cases he has dealt with in Tipperary, families find the money to pay. If they do not have the money to hand, they may borrow from a credit union, stating an alternative purpose for the loan.
In some cases, families engage in criminality themselves. They may sell drugs on the dealer's behalf or deliver drugs for them. If they are caught, not only will they have a criminal record themselves but the cost of the seized drugs will be added to their debt.
‘PROBLEM SHARED IS A PROBLEM HALVED’
Inspector White also spoke of the assistance that gardaí have provided to local families that come in search of help. This ranges from practical advice to provision of information about support services for the individual involved and their family. Those concerned can meet with a plainclothes garda inspector at a neutral venue, with no garda vehicle used.
“A problem shared is a problem halved,” Inspector White commented, encouraging people to seek help when they have been threatened by drug dealers. He mentioned a recent case where a Dublin criminal came to north Tipperary to enforce a drug debt. The individual was caught and sentenced to prison from the circuit court.
Cllr Noel Coonan said he had personal experience of receiving threats and intimidation when serving as a TD. These were satisfactorily dealt with by Inspector White and his team.
He mentioned the national discourse on legalising drugs and asked whether such a move would combat criminal intimidation. Inspector White said gardaí could only enforce legislation enacted by the Oireachtas. A national forum had been set up to make recommendations on the question of legalisation; the inspector said he would leave it to the forum to answer that question.
OFFENCES DECREASE
Detective Superintendent James Tierney said the gardaí looked at redeploying resources in the Tipperary and Clare division last April. The Divisional Drugs Unit now consists of one sergeant and four detective gardaí with remit for north Tipperary, with one sergeant and six detective gardaí for the southern part of the county.
Prior to that, drugs officers were working in ones and twos within their own districts. Det Supt Tierney believed the new approach would prove more effective in tackling specialised crime.
He mentioned that there have been 126 incidents of drugs possession for personal use so far this year in Tipperary. This represents a slight decrease of 3% on the same period last year. Fifteen offences were detected in the Nenagh district.
Detections in relation to sale and supply of drugs are at a similar level with 33 so far this year. Five of these were in Nenagh.
Det Supt Tierney referenced some of the drugs gangs dealt with by gardaí in Tipperary recently. One was part of a Lithuanian organised crime group.
Deputy Martin Browne suggested that public representatives need to be more proactive with regard to providing gardaí with information about drug dealers in local communities. Michelle Aylward, CEO of Tipperary Chamber, agreed, saying people in general need to “call out” drug dealing where they become aware of it.
Chief Superintendent Aileen Magner said gardaí need all the help they can get in tackling drug crime. A multi-agency approach is needed, and this extends to public representatives and members of the community.
“The guards can't solve it alone; we're only one agency,” the chief super said. “We need help”.