GALWAY now has one of the biggest Garda drugs’ units across the country in a bid to tackle what has been described this week as widespread cocaine use across all sectors of society.

Chief Superintendent Gerry Roche told Monday’s meeting of the Co. Galway Joint Policing Committee (JPC), that tackling the sale and supply of drugs around the county was a a top priority for the Gardaí.

“Cocaine use is endemic, and it’s not confined to one age group or area of society. It is right across every section of society,” said Gerry Roche.

He told Monday’s meeting that the Galway Garda Drugs Unit was now one of the biggest in the country with 20 Gardaí and two sergeants currently deployed in that section.

“For some people it can be a matter of personal choice whether they use drugs or not, but for us [Gardaí] the priority has to be in targeting the suppliers of the drugs.

“We want to make it difficult as possible for them to operate; to seize any assets as a result of their activity; and to target the increasing number of gangs and organised crime groups who are involved in the sale and supply of drugs,” said the Chief Super.

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