Limerick taxi driver forced to do drug runs says 'few garda will stop taxis'

Drug dealers and drug users have been using taxi rides to transport, deliver, and pick up their drugs. 

The companies Uber and FreeNow responded to the allegations that the taxi drivers made. 

Three Limerick taxi drivers spoke to the Limerick Leader about the problem on the condition of anonymity. 

Tom, not his real name, says “I’ve had experiences where I've had people sit in the back and we stop at a traffic light, and somebody will come up to the rear window and they pass it [drugs] out like that.”

“You’d often get a call on one of the apps and you don’t necessarily know what the job is before you take [it]. You’d often get the smell [of cannabis]. I’ve driven my taxi for about five years now. Whenever I have the suspicion of something going on like that, I'll end up blocking the passenger that I had […] I think I've blocked most of the lads that are moving it now.”

Tom believes that it’s primarily cannabis and cocaine that are being transported, however he is not sure. 

Of the six taxi drivers approached - four confirmed that drug runs are a problem they regularly deal with. One taxi driver did not wish to speak on the matter for fear of being seen as a “snitch” by local dealers. 

John - who requested an alias be used for him - said drug dealers try and use his services frequently, saying that it can happen once a “week, twice a week, or every two weeks”. 

“And sometimes it’s the same people, and if you refuse them, they won’t really cause a scene there, because they know that if the guards are coming they might get picked up.”

When asked why John thinks drug dealers use taxis rather than their own personal transportation John answered: “Very few garda will stop taxis, very rarely. Some are very, very young, they don’t have their own cars. Some are fifteen or sixteen years of age. It’s a go around - scooters or bikes they’d be stopped.”

In terms of identifying these dodgy customers, John says “You know when they say to you, I’m only going as far as X place and then I’ll come back into town. You know it’s either to buy drugs or drop off drugs.”

Mick - who wished to use a false name - says he has not given drug dealers rides as far as he’s aware, but he frequently is approached by drug users to pick up drugs. He says: “I’ve never had hassle with them. They’ve always paid. Do I feel threatened at all? No. Do I like doing the run? No.”

Describing what a typical drug run looks like, Mick says: “There’s always two - they’ll go to a destination. One will get out of the car [upon arriving at the destination], the other stays in the car, so therefore you can’t leave, so you have to stay there. You obviously know what they’re up to, they’re giving money to a friend they owe money to, is what they normally say.”

Echoing John’s account, Mick says, “you drive them back to where you pick them up.”

While he actively avoids these types of trips, Mick does admit that “on quiet days you’ll do it. It’s just part of the parcel.” 

When Mick was asked why he thinks drug users are using taxis he says: “They won’t walk because they’ll be jumped.”

None of the three men I spoke to said they felt afraid or threatened by the drug dealers or drug users who have used their taxis. Mick explains that “they need our service ... So that’s why they use the taxi service.”

Towards the end of our conversation, I ask Tom if he thinks the taxi union or the ride apps are aware of drug users and dealers using taxis for drug pick-ups and drop-offs. He tells me “I’m sure they’re aware. There are facilities within either of the apps to report passengers for suspect behaviour but whether or not that gets investigated, I don’t know, I can’t say.”

When I posed the same question to John, he said that due to the freelance self-employed nature of the profession, there is no support there. 

Freenow Ireland General Manager, Danny O'Gorman commented: “The Government’s commitment to establish a dedicated transport police is a welcome step toward safer public transport, but taxi drivers must not be overlooked. Taxi drivers need equal access to protective measures, including the establishment of a dedicated Garda Helpline to report incidents and get rapid assistance. 

“No taxi driver should have to choose between their safety and earning a living, and Freenow will continue working to support drivers to combat anti-social behaviour and other safety concerns. Freenow’s driver app has tools that allow drivers to manage rides confidently, block unwanted passengers and report concerns if needed.”

A spokesperson from Uber said the company “works closely with the Gardai and National Transport Authority on reports of behaviours that are against our Community Guidelines.”

When asked what could be done to stop the taxi drug runs John immediately answered that there should be more guards on the street. ”If taxi drivers and everyone else can identify them, surely Guards identify them.”

The Gardaí declined to comment on the trend and instead asked for examples of specific incidences. None of the taxi drivers interviewed mentioned reporting the incidents of passengers involved with drug-related crime to the Gardaí.