Police in Fermnagh made 51 drugs' seizures last year and this, from1st April 2007 to 29th February last, members of the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership (DPP) have been told.

The seizures, they heard, led to 34 people being arrested and involved over £2,000 of Ecstasy, a little over £1,000 of Cannabis and a small quantity of Cocaine.

Members sought an estimate of the current amounts of drugs available in Fermanagh, particularly cocaine, speed and ecstasy, but were told that the PSNI could only provide details of the quantities seized.

Councillor Thomas O'Reilly, who has raised the issue, was told that this was the best method of reflecting potential availability within communities. Members were then given figures for last year up to the end of February.

There were 34 arrests within the county last year, from 1st April to 29th February. Of these, 10 were charged.

Chief Inspector Alywin Barton explained that it was important to exercise care with this figure as the other 24 could not be assumed as having 'got off'.

"It is often necessary to release a suspect on bail to allow for forensic analysis of the product before they can be charged or reported for the specific offence.

"Furthermore, it is also acceptable for some suspects to be referred to the Public Prosecution Service for a decision as opposed to being charged.

"These can take a little time for decision, therefore they are not included in these charging figures".

Asked how many people were charged and convicted following the raids referred to, Mr Barton said he tended not to use the word 'raid'.

"It does not detract from the fact that this is a very valid question. The only information I have been able to access is the number who were charged. It is reasonable to assume that all 34 arrests were on the foot of a seizure.

"The method of disposal will vary from a formal informed warning or in old currency a caution for small amounts of the lower classes of drugs to charges and referral for prosecution in court, for the Class A drugs and bigger quantities of the lesser substances," he added.