Intimidation over drug debts are on the rise in district
GARDAÍ ARE urging anyone who has been subjected to drug debt intimidation to contact them urgently in confidence following a major escalation in drug related crime within the district.
The issue of drug debt collection and intimidation has emerged a number of times during Covid-19 restrictions as drug dealers are not making as much money selling drugs, turning their attention instead to drug debt collection.
A dedicated drugs unit at New Ross Garda Station has been very active, with several files being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, following significant drugs and weapons seizures across the district and in neighbouring south Kilkenny.
A social media video of a man shouting and roaring outside a New Ross house, demanding that the son of the home owner come out to pay an alleged drug debt has highlighted a growing issue during Covid-19 in the town last month.
The incident of affray which occurred at Charlton Hill, New Ross, on April 28 led to arrests.
A garda source said that following a number of follow-up searches in the town several items, including bullets, knives, a hatchet, a hammer, a baseball bat and drugs.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them in New Ross Garda Station on 051 426030.
Over the past week, three drugs seizures have been executed in New Ross and Glenmore.
Three people were arrested and cocaine, cash, firearms and ammunition seized following a major drug operation in south Kilkenny and Waterford on Thursday last.
A joint operation was carried out involving detective units from the Kilkenny/Carlow and Waterford garda divisions assisted by the Emergency Response Unit as part of ongoing investigations into organised crime in the divisions. As part of the operation, a car was stopped and searched in the Slieverue area.
During the search of the car, a firearm and over 40 rounds of ammunition were discovered.
The three male occupants of the car, two aged in their 20s and one 30s, were arrested at the scene. They were detained at Thomastown and Waterford Garda stations under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
Follow up-searches carried out a house in Waterford city lead to the discovery and seizure of €33,000 in cash.
An additional search was carried out at a house in Glenmore where cocaine (pending analysis) worth €35,000 was seized.
A garda spokesperson said investigations are continuing.
On Tuesday, €700 in cannabis herb was seized from a house entered by gardaí in Campile village as part of a new operation into the sale and supply of drugs in the New Ross district.
On Friday over €500 in cocaine was seized from a house in the Foulksmills area and in another search in a housing estate in New Ross, a small quantity of cannabis was seized.
No arrests were made but files are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A New Ross Garda spokesperson said: ‘If people are under pressure in relation to an incident where they are being asked to repay debts, they should notify us and we will engage with them pro-actively to ensure their own safety. The matter will be investigated and they should be in no way concerned as we are not looking to question them [about their own activities].’
The spokesperson said gardaí understand that relatives of individuals who owe money to drug dealers may be having difficulties.
‘Parents are paying debts and we are there to help and support them in any way we can and can put them in contact with services. Parents are taking out loans but once you start paying off debts of say €200, they can be increased to €500 and suddenly the drug dealer is saying “now it’s €1,000”. Fear is what they prey on.’
IF PEOPLE ARE UNDER PRESSURE AND BEING ASKED TO REPAY DEBTS, THEY SHOULD NOTIFY US AND WE WILL ENGAGE WITH THEM