A NEW Donegal Coastal Watch Programme will be launched later this year in an effort to combat drug traffickers using the Donegal coastline.
The programme which is similar to a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme but for coastal areas of the county was announced by Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan at last Friday’s Joint Policing Committee meeting.
The move follows the finding of around €4 million worth of cocaine in two large bales, one off Dunfanaghy and one off Fanad last July.
The new Chief Superintendent gave the meeting details of the plan which will be led by Garda Inspector Paul McGee.
Detective Superintendent Sé McCormack of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau gave the JPC meeting details of how the programme would work.
He explained that the aim of the Coastal Watch programme is to build up a better community response to unusual activity along the coastline adding that it is essentially Neighbourhood Watch but for the coastline.
Meanwhile, Detective Superintendent McCormack said the investigation into last July’s discovery of approximately €4 million of cocaine along the Donegal coastline was ongoing but that he could not comment any further than that.
Risk factors those living or visiting coastal areas are asked to look out for are: Suspicious activity in relation to persons or vehicles: Ships and yachts sighted in remote areas: Crew making landings in remote areas: Unusual objects at sea or ashore: Ships away from their normal shipping lanes: Vessels operating at night without lights or packages floating in the sea, lying on the beach or hidden close to the shore.
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