The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has seized a huge haul of cars, cash, power washers, watches and designer goods in a raid in Co Longford.
A staggering €110,000 and £14,000 in cash was seized along with three caravans, 11 vehicles (including a Mercedes, Skoda Kodiaq, Isuzu DMAX, Ford Ranger, Toyota Landcruiser and assorted light commercial vehicles), three power washers, three watches, including a Rolex and a Tag Heuer, and designer handbags and footwear.
A total of 16 searches were carried out today, 12 of residential properties and three of commercial properties and one professional premises.
Bank accounts containing over €80,000 were also frozen as part of the investigation.
CAB were supported by members of Emergency Response Unit, the Western Region Armed Support Unit (ASU), the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), the Garda Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit (SMVIU), the Garda Dog Unit, the Garda Mounted Unit, the Garda Air Support Unit, local gardai from the Longford / Roscommon Division and Revenue (Customs Dog, Customs Fuel Unit and Customs Search Teams).
The searches were part of an investigation targeting an Organised Criminal Group (OCG) who are suspected to be involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs, intimidation and extortion.
A garda spokesperson said:"The OCG targeted in today’s search operation is heavily involved in the ongoing feud in the Longford area and a number of members of the OCG have been before the Courts in relation to criminal incidents emanating from this feud.
"Members of this OCG have amassed a large property portfolio as a result of the proceeds of their involvement in criminal activity.
"Today’s search operation comes as a result of ongoing liaison between the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and local Gardai in Longford utilising trained Divisional Asset Profilers and marks a significant development in the CAB investigation."
