The value of drugs seized by Revenue has increased by at least 60% this year.
Over €38 million worth of substances was recovered in the first ten months of this year.
These new figures have been released by Revenue under the Freedom of Information Act.
In all of 2019, just over €23.6 million worth of drugs were recovered.
Over €14 million more were seized in the first ten months of this year than in all of last year.
Of the €38 million recovered, €17.1 million was by Revenue’s Dublin Port branch.
Nationally, 63% of the total was cannabis, amounting to nearly €24 million.
€9.7 million was cocaine or heroin.
Retired detective inspector Pat Marry says the increase in seizures is welcome.
He said: "[Drugs] devastate families - it leads to crime increases. People lose their lives, take overdoses. You have families put under pressure from drug dealers who are trying to collect debts.
"You will find that when drugs are stopped or cut down, it leads to a better community spirit."
He also said gardaí have put prominent organised criminals such as the Kinahan cartel 'under pressure' - a potential factor in an increase in seizures.
Revenue says the rise in the number of drug seizures, and volume of drugs recovered, is down to several factors.
These include the deployment of staff 24/7 at Dublin Port, Rosslare Port and Dublin Mail Centre.
