The Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) has carried out a so-called super raid across 12 locations in Co Longford, seizing assets and financial documentation linked to suspected criminal wealth.
Large Garda teams, comprised of locally based members of the force and colleagues from specialist units, carried out the searches from early on Thursday morning with the assistance of Revenue customs officers. The search teams were backed by armed Garda units.
The suspects at the centre of the search are members of a crime gang based in Co Longford, but with associates and operations across the midlands. They have been under investigation by the Garda for years for suspected drug dealing and vehicle-based crimes, including sourcing and selling stolen cars.
During Thursday’s operation the Cab seized €10,000 in cash, a 212 Ford Focus valued at €26,400, a 172 Nissan Navara worth €27,000, three Rolex watches and a cherry-picker.
Financial documents and electronic devices were also seized and were set to be analysed for evidence that may uncover money laundering or investments in other assets, including property.
Frozen accounts
Bank accounts linked to the suspects in the case, and containing a total of €78,000 on deposit, have also been frozen by the bureau as part of its investigation.
The Cab searches on Thursday, at private dwellings and other sites, also involved the Garda Emergency Response Unit, the Regional Armed Support Unit, and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit, as well as the Customs Dog Unit.
“This morning’s operation was conducted as part of an ongoing Criminal Assets Bureau investigation into assets, including properties linked to a significant midlands-based organised crime gang believed to be involved in the sale and supply of drugs and vehicle crime,” a Garda statement said.
The operation was continuing on Thursday.
