The director of Maritime Analysis Operations Centre has said the level of seizures has increased, with half a billion euro worth of drugs seized since March.
Michael O'Sullivan, a former assistant commissioner with An Garda Síochána, said there was a feeling that law enforcement agencies are 'distracted' by lockdowns in Europe.
On RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr O'Sullivan said organised crime groups are looking for new opportunities and ways to transport drugs ' under the radar.' A total of seven vessels have been seized in different parts of Europe, he said, or heading in the direction of Europe.
He said that these are large shipments of drugs and any one seizure of these drugs wouldn't ordinarily be seized in Ireland in five or six years.