Cannabis discovered hidden in cylinders normally used to store gas for underwater diving.
When the aqua lungs were not working they were brought into a Galway shop for repair. The shop in Galway sent the cylinders on to Dublin to be tested. During testing, one of the cylinders exploded causing slight injuries to a worker. The aqua lung contained a consignment of 16.5 kgs of cannabis resin. Drug squad detectives say the cannabis has a street value of £4,000. The second cylinder contained a similar amount of cannabis.
Detective Inspector Denis Mullins of the Garda Drug Squad, says that it appears the cylinders had been in an Aer Lingus lost property office for some time. They were then sold in a lost property sale. Gardaí were subsequently made aware of their contents when they were handed over by the buyer. Detective Mullins says that they are currently trying to establish the source of the cylinders through engagement with Interpol and the Drug Enforcement Agency of the United States.
We are satisfied they originally came from the United States.
In addition to this find, Gardaí have seized over £100,000 worth of drugs, mostly heroin, in Dublin this year. Detective Mullins says that this is an indication that the problem with heroin is escalating, the use of cannabis is widespread, and the use of amphetamines is a new trend.
The great bone of concern is the increase in heroin abuse.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 March 1983. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.
