Waterford was the only regional airport to record drugs seizures last year. Airports at Galway, Knock, Sligo, Donegal and Kerry did not record any drug seizures, according to figures from the Revenue Commissioners.
Customs officers do not have a permanent presence at the six regional airports. Instead, their presence is dictated by a risk assessment of incoming flights, a spokesman said.
Asked if there was a danger that drugs were being brought into the State through these smaller airports, the spokesman said the knowledge that customs officers had a presence at these airports at various times should act as a deterrent.
Customs officers have a permanent presence at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.
In total, drugs with an estimated value of more than €4.12 million were seized at these three airports and Waterford Regional Airport last year.
Drug seizures at Dublin airport dwarfed the finds at all other airports. There were 145 seizures in 2002, with an estimated value of more than €3.9 million. The next largest number of seizures was at Shannon Airport, where 36 seizures were made, with a value of just over €215,000.
Customs at Waterford Regional Airport made three drugs seizures, the most valuable being 1.5kg of khat (a stimulant) valued at €3,808.
There were only seven seizures at Cork airport, with a value of €311.40.
Overall, cannabis accounted for the biggest number of seizures last year. Some 99 seizures involved either herbal or cannabis resin. However, cocaine was the most valuable find, with the total haul of 19kg at Dublin airport valued at more than €1.969 million.
The spokesman for the Revenue Commissioners said the drugs threat varied, depending on the flights. It was not feasible to have a permanent presence at certain airports, but the visits by customs officers would show that the flights were being monitored.
Some regional airports have greatly expanded their schedule in recent times. Knock airport now flies to Malaga, Majorca, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, as well as to a number of British destinations.
