Large sums of cash, luxury jewellery, financial documents and high-powered cars have been seized in raids across multiple properties in a major garda operation in Cork.
In the biggest co-ordinated series of raids seen in the rebel county in some years, the Criminal Assets Bureau, backed by local Gardai as well as armed response and customs units, targeted a major crime gang, said to be largely made up by the members of one extended family.
CAB officers and armed gardai moved on 11 properties on a series of raids in and around Cork City from dawn on Wednesday, as part of the wider Operation Thor drive against crime gangs.
The gang targeted are believed to be involved in drug dealing, burglaries, fraud, extortion and theft from homes and businesses in Cork County and further across Munster.
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Gardai say the gang had used various paving, gardening and landscaping businesses to target elderly and vulnerable persons to deceive them of money.
They used intimidation to instill fear into their victims and charged exorbitant rates for substandard work.
The investigation will also focus on multiple thefts and burglaries from homes and businesses in the areas where the gang had been working their construction-work scams.
Up to 11 homes and businesses were targeted in the raids, including a firm of solicitors and accountants.
Officers seized ten vehicles, including two new-reg, top of the range Toyota Hi-Lux pick-ups (one with a UK registration) a 191 Toyota Landscruiser and various other sports-cars, family saloons, jeeps and pick-ups.
They also seized 4 Rolex watches and €31,500 in cash.
Some of the cash had been crudely wrapped in duct-tape and sports-socks, possibly to make it easier to conceal and transport. Large bundles of cash had been concealed in various homes.
One of the luxury homes raided on the outskirts of Cork city was equipped with a fully kitted-out home gym.
Documentation in relation to the ownership of assets, financial documentation, mobile phones and electronic storage devices were seized and are currently being examined by CAB experts.
The raids - part of the larger Operation Thor drive against organised gangs - is believed to be one of the most significant and successful operations of its kind carried on in Cork.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Clavin said: "This morning’s search operation is a significant development in the CAB investigation and is viewed as a major disruption to the activities of this gang".
Rural communities in Co Cork had been facing an upsurge in burglaries, thefts and scams targeting the vulnerable in recent months.
