Question
Noting the case made “for an all-island strategy to tackle transnational crime”, that the Head of the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau has said “Irish criminal gangs invited international cartels to use Ireland as a smuggling route” adding that “we see a lot of activity at the moment”, with up to 600 cross-Atlantic suspect ship movements per day, can the DG NCA comment on Ireland and N. Ireland being attractive as a drugs distribution hub into Britain and Europe for international OCGs?
Answer
2.1. I understand the 600 figure comes from an interview with the former Director of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) (MAOC (N)), Mr Sjoerd Top, on the BBC Spotlight Programme broadcast in September 2025. The UK is a founding member of MAOC (N) along with the Republic of Ireland, and six other EU Members States, which has proven extremely successful in providing a multi-lateral platform to target illicit drug trafficking at sea.
2.2. Membership has expanded to more international partners since then. I sense Mr Top’s quote from the programme represented the number of vessels being monitored at any one time due to intelligence received as opposed the number of cross-Atlantic suspect ship movements per day. Since its inception MAOC (N) has coordinated the seizure of more than 500 tonnes of cocaine and more than 600 tonnes of cannabis. We are sighted on all intelligence shared in the MAOC (N) and make a significant contribution to the activity.
2.3. You may already be aware of an all-island strategy, which was discussed at the UK-Ireland National Security Dialogue. This the formal mechanism for British and Irish officials to discuss shared security issues including serious and organised crime. The last meeting took place in November 2025, and in January 2026 the UK formally invited Ireland to join the North Sea Channel Maritime Information Group. This group facilitates the cooperation and exchanging of information about broader security topics, including regarding the movement of drugs.
2.4. As mentioned in our last correspondence, we do not have intelligence that Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland is viewed as a “drugs distribution hub” by international OCGs. It is one of many routes used by international OCGs to traffic illicit drugs. Noting the rapid evolution in the global drug threat, we will of course keep the assessment under review, and continue our work with partners on the response.
Finally, I hope you will be able to join your colleagues to visit us at our new London Headquarters in November. The annual visit of NIPB and SPA members provides an excellent opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with our subject matter experts, and we are working with your Performance Director to draft a programme of events, prospectively for Monday 16 November.
Colin McGrath MLA - SDLP