More than £1 million has been seized from criminals in Northern Ireland since April, security minister Paul Goggins said today.
The head of the Organised Crime Taskforce said officers were on course to confiscate more proceeds of crime. PSNI, Assets Recovery Agency and Revenue and Customs returns have soared since last year and with the PSNI appointing more financial investigators, Mr Goggins said crime bosses were under pressure.
"We are sending out a clear message to organised criminals that we are determined to take back any money or assets that are gained through drug dealing or any other criminal activity," he said.
Official agencies netted £1.04 million in the first three months of this financial year. There was £2.2 million raided from criminal coffers during the whole of last year.
The PSNI and HMRC seized 50% more cash than at the same time last year while the ARA secured over #670,000 in Recovery Orders and settlements, exceeding the total for the whole of 2006/07.
More than £2.5 million was frozen by the courts. Mr Goggins added: "Law enforcement agencies are continuing to make good progress in disrupting, restraining and taking away criminal assets across Northern Ireland."
Recently police announced plans to appoint 60 financial investigators dedicated to fighting racketeering and other organised crime.