Question to the Minister of Justice

Minister's Answer

I want people to be assured that robust mechanisms are in place for law enforcement agencies to work collaboratively and on a cross-border basis to tackle the threat posed by drugs through the joint agency task force (JATF). The cross-border policing strategy also acts as an overarching delivery strategy for the JATF's work, and one of its six priority areas focuses on drugs. I get six-monthly updates on the work of the task force through the intergovernmental agreement arrangements, and I then provide a statement to the Assembly on the relevant matters in that. Tackling harm caused by organised crime is also one of my key priorities. I continue to work closely with partners through the OCTF and JATF not only to manage the threat from drug-related crime, including on a cross-border basis, but to target those in the gangs and the supply routes that are used.Separately from corresponding with the Home Secretary, I recently attended a UK-wide drugs ministerial meeting with the Health Minister. It provided an opportunity for us to shine a light on the Northern Ireland position, including those concerns, as we discussed things such as drug enforcement and prevention. I want to collaborate with our colleagues in these islands to ensure that Northern Ireland does not become a major route for drug trafficking through the islands and onwards to Europe.