Authorities detained approximately 5,000 persons for drugs offenses during the year. Although there were allegations of corruption among Irish police officials in 1996, investigations revealed no evidence to support the charges. Agreements and Treaties. Ireland ratified the 1988 UN Convention in July. On September 16, Ireland and the US signed a Customs mutual assistance agreement.
Irish officials believe there is no significant cultivation or production of drugs in Ireland.
Authorities have reported annual seizures of small amounts of cannabis plants in recent years. Cocaine trafficking through Ireland increased dramatically. Irish authorities made record cocaine seizures of 50 kgs and 610 kgs off the Irish coast. Officials also investigated a potential 3.5 mt cocaine shipment that failed to materialize. All cocaine shipments originated from South America and the Eastern Caribbean.