Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Bill, 1996

Public bill · Government · Presented

The Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Bill 1996 would give Gardaí more time and powers to investigate suspected drug trafficking. A person could initially be detained for up to six hours, with extensions potentially lasting up to 168 hours in total, subject to senior Garda and court approval; the person would have rights including access to a solicitor, medical care and court reviews. Senior Gardaí could issue urgent search warrants lasting no more than 24 hours, and customs officers could take part in questioning. These measures were intended to disrupt drug smuggling, but most of the new detention and questioning powers would expire after 12 months unless both Houses of the Oireachtas agreed to continue them.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to make provision for additional powers of detention by the Garda Síochána of suspected drug traffickers following arrest, to make provision for the issuance of search warrants by certain members of the Garda Síochána in the case of suspected drug trafficking offences and for the attendance of officers of customs and excise at, and the participation of such officers in, the questioning of certain arrested persons by the Garda Síochána and to provide for related matters

Last updated 13 October 2020