‘Half price crack’ being advertised on Snapchat

BRAZEN Limerick drug dealers advertised ‘half price crack’ on Snapchat – resulting in addicts descending on the city in droves.

People from across the country travelled to the city by bus and train two weeks ago, after news of the drug’s ‘sale’ was widely shared on the social media platform.

Criminals use Snapchat because posts on the platform disappear after 24 hours, making them more difficult for gardaí to trace.

Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan said Limerick’s crack problem has been ongoing since at least 2019 and ‘has only gotten worse’.

He told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘In 2021, Ana Liffey [drug charity] said there were more crack pipes given out in Limerick than in Dublin, so that should have been a wake-up call for everyone. There is anecdotal evidence people are coming from across the State because it’s easier to get and it’s cheaper to buy, and unfortunately they’re coming by bus and by train.’

Deputy Quinlivan is concerned that Limerick city could be ‘devastated’ by the drug if the problem is not dealt with quickly.

He also said one local crime gang has developed a market for crack in the city.

‘It’s one of the most addictive drugs when people are on it, and it has caused devastation across parts of America and I’m concerned that’s going to happen here,’ Mr Quinlivan said. ‘There is a gang based around the Kings Island area that have consciously developed a market for crack cocaine. They knew exactly what they were doing.

‘They had a promotion there a couple of weeks ago with half price crack. My understanding is it was shared on Snapchat.

‘There was a particular crack house and finally the council got their act together with An Garda Síochána and put a compulsory purchase order and that house has been closed down.’ The Sinn Féin TD asked senior gardaí at a March 1 Joint Policing Committee meeting, what steps are being taken to combat the sale and supply of drugs in the Kings Island area.

Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit are ‘actively targeting persons involved in the sale and supply of cocaine and heroin within the Limerick Division’. He added there have been several successful prosecutions, and a ‘number are still pending which are as a result of co-operation with the Criminal Assets Bureau’.

‘These prosecutions... have resulted in [the seizure of] large quantities of cash, property and luxury items and assets. A number of high-profile individuals have been taken before the Special Criminal Court which resulted in a number of positive outcomes.’

Chief Supt Smart said another operation has ‘committed to having a visible beat presence’.

Two well-known crime families are ‘predominantly’ responsible for the drug’s supply in Limerick.

The Ana Liffey Law Engagement and Assisted Recovery (LEAR) project – in which the charity works with gardaí – includes a support service to tackle the rise of those presenting to the charity.

Chief Superintendent Smart said at the project launch a year ago: ‘With the person’s consent, my team on the ground will make referrals to Ana Liffey’s LEAR team for people who fit the criteria as needing case management supports.’

‘Two well-known crime families are responsible’ debbie.mccann@mailonsunday.ie