Anti-drug dealing hotline extended to Cork

A freephone service that allows people to anonymously report drug dealing in their area has been extended to Cork.

Dial to Stop Drug Dealing is designed to facilitate people who want to pass on information about illegal activity in confidence and without fear of reprisals. Information is passed on directly to the gardaí.

The hotline is already operating in five communities in the Dublin area and Kildare areas and has received more than 1,600 calls since last September. It is funded through a ring-fenced grant of €450,000 from dormant accounts.

“To date, information gathered as a result of Dial to Stop Drug Dealing in Dublin has yielded one significant Section 10 seizure - that is, possession with intent to supply,” Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs John Curran said.

“In all five areas where the campaign has been operating, the local gardaí are following strong lines of inquiry resulting from information provided to the freephone number. While the campaigns may be running in specific areas, the confidential number used in the campaign is open for all to use regardless of the area they come from."

A spokeswoman for the project said the service was being rolled out gradually to allow local drugs taskforces to work on promoting it and raising awareness in the local areas.

A total of 15 projects around the State will be funded, including the new service in Cork. Other areas planned for the hotline include Kerry, the mid-west including Limerick, and the south-east.

Dial to Stop Drug Dealing can be contacted on 1800 220 220.