#coastalnotes - Communities along the coast reports Independent.ie have been warned that local intelligence is critical if Ireland is to win the battle against drug-smuggling gangs.

Gardaí, Customs and Excise, and the Naval Service urged people suspicious of any activities at sea or along isolated stretches of coastline to immediately contact the authorities.

The plea came as the Cork West Garda Division staged a 'Coastal Watch' seminar in Kinsale.

Fittingly, the seminar took place in west Cork, where some of Ireland's biggest drug seizures have been made, including the infamous €440m cocaine smuggling bid at Dunlough Bay in July 2007.

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Afloat adds also berthed in Kinsale was a Revenue Commissioners Customs cutter.  In addition but not related to the seminar was a visiting €5m private motor superyacht Capella C which was converted from a pilot cutter vessel.