Seizures of cocaine bucked the trend last year with almost double the amount detected by Customs and Excise than in each of the previous two years, writes Conor Lally

The Customs and Excise Service last year seized drugs worth €33.6 million, down almost 50 per cent on the €60.6 million seized in 2001. The number of cigarettes seized also fell, to 74 million from 161 million.

The most notable trend was an increase in cocaine seized by Revenue officials. Almost 19.5kg, worth €2 million, of the designer drug was seized. That was nearly twice the amount detected in each of the previous two years.

Customs and Excise officials at Dublin Airport have become so concerned at the number of drug couriers smuggling cocaine into the State inside their bodies that they have installed a new "drugs loo".

A Revenue spokesman said that by the time some couriers reached Ireland, they are concerned that the condoms filled with drugs which they have swallowed may have burst.

In recent years they had been presenting themselves to customs officials.

In response to the developing trend a new toilet had been fitted in the customs area at the airport.

It is a sealed unit where couriers are taken. They are observed by "one or two" officers using the toilet and anything which passes from their body is then examined by the officers for drugs.

"It can often be the case that the condoms simply burst or can sometimes be broken down by gastric fluids and if the drugs leak it can be fatal," the spokesman added.

In 2002 six couriers who had swallowed drugs were detected at the airport.

Figures released yesterday in the Revenue's annual report for 2002 reveal the total value of drugs seized during the period was €33,538,800.

Herbal cannabis accounted for the bulk of the hauls in value terms. There were 491 seizures in total involving 6,106kg with an estimated street value of €26 million.

Following routine profiling by the National Intelligence Unit, customs enforcement officers in Dublin Port examined a container of concrete garden furniture, which had arrived from Thailand.

Behind the furniture the officers found 5.57 tonnes of herbal cannabis valued at €23.8 million. It is believed the consignment was destined for the UK market.

There were 115 seizures of cannabis resin with a combined value of €4.7 million.

There were two seizures of the drug Khat - a rare stimulant which comes in leaf form and originates in Africa - with a combined value of €590,000. The value of other drugs seized such as heroin, ecstasy and amphetamines came to just €248,700.

As part of its approach to drugs Revenue added five animals to its team of sniffer dogs in 2002. The team is now nine strong.

Away from drugs, Revenue was also active during 2002 targeting organised crime gangs involved in smuggling everything from cigarettes and alcohol to cars and endangered species.

Working in tandem with Interpol, Revenue detected 16 vehicles being smuggled into the country which had been stolen in Japan.

There were 3,826 cigarette seizures in 2002 during which 74.8 million cigarettes with a value of €18.7 million were detected.

The "revenue at risk" sum involved was €14.7 million. As well as the cigarettes, 7.6 tonnes of tobacco valued at €1.7 million was seized. The "revenue at risk" was €1.3 million.

Eight oil-laundering plants were detected and 270,000 litres of laundered fuel impounded.

The largest of the plants was capable of laundering seven million litres of marked oil every year, with a potential revenue loss of €3 million.

There were 1,681 detections of the illegal use of duty-rebated marked gas oil (MGO) also known as green diesel.

Arising from these detections 158 convictions were secured in the courts where fines totalling €161,655 were imposed.

A further 1,294 people offered settlement payments totalling €799,481.

Almost €200,000 in fines was imposed on 221 people found guilty of illegal trading in a variety of sectors including liquor, gaming and amusements and auctioneering.

Checks were carried out on 1,047 vessels entering Irish ports resulting in the collection of unpaid VAT and other penalties amounting to €756,548.

A total of 57 people were convicted of offences relating to illegally selling or smuggling tobacco and alcohol with fines of almost €40,000 imposed.

There were 4,697 compromise settlements where those detected offered to pay compromise payments rather than face the courts. Those payments amounted to €223,104.