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Top cop says cocaine use by middle class has become ‘acceptable’ in Ireland

“The money isn’t coming from deprived areas, it is coming from people who are middle class or upper class people holding down good jobs and believe it is acceptable to use cocaine at the weekend, without accepting any responsibility.”

Today at 13:48

A top cop says the use of cocaine by “educated middle and upper class” people in Ireland has become “acceptable”.

Speaking with RTÉ’s Crime Correspondent, Paul Reynolds, Detective Chief Superintendent Séamus Bolan appealed to the public to think about the damage being done to society by drug use. He also highlighted the extraordinary figures which have been seized in the past 12 months alone.

“This has been a very significant year in relation to drug seizures in Ireland,” he said.

“At national level the significant marks we have reached is we have now seized in excess of half a billion euro worth of controlled drugs. In 2023, we have seized in excess of €210 million. It is indicative of the size of the drugs market in Europe.

“Multi tonnage cocaine seizures have greatly increased. Unfortunately, cocaine use has become acceptable in many levels of society.

“The money isn’t coming from deprived areas, it is coming from people who are middle class or upper class people holding down good jobs and believe it is acceptable to use cocaine at the weekend, without accepting any responsibility.”

Garda Boland indicated the insidious nature of how drug dealing takes place in modern Ireland, with encoded apps playing a large role.

“Cocaine can be easily purchased, most people will know their dealer, some people won’t even consider them a dealer, it will be a friend or associate.

“Technology has advanced to instant messaging on apps -decades ago we could target specific areas, that’s no longer the case- now someone is on a night out in town and someone rocks up on a scooter or moped or bicycle , we have advanced to the stage where the dealer comes to you.

“That takes the risk for middle class or upper class not venturing into areas that they may not want to. It is very, very difficult to combat. People need to self-reflect.

“When we look at vulnerable addicts or areas that are affected by the cartels where the violence will take place- if you are socialising and buying cocaine you can’t walk away from the fact you are feeding the problem,” Detective Chief Superintendent Boland added.

Meanwhile, officials are currently deciding whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the leaders of the Kinahan Organized Crime Group.

“2023 was a significant year for targeting the Kinahan Organized Crime Group. A significant investigation file which has been years in compiling and gathering of evidence is currently with the law officers and being considered as to whether there is sufficient evidence, or not, for a prosecution to take place,” Mr Bolan said.

He indicated the broad and continuing scope of garda work combatting drugs gangs in Ireland.

“Our investigations are ongoing. There are more than two significant organized crime groups impacting this jurisdiction for many years. The Kinahan gang has been the primary group but we have seen these groups work in unison and operate as a network on many occasion.

“It can be difficult to determine where one group differs from another and we have seen in the past how the Hutch and Kinahan gangs will operate in consort.

“We live in a democratic country where the final determinations of guilty or innocence are decided in a court of law.”