Imitation firearm and cash seized in raids by Criminal Assets Bureau
THE Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) swooped on a number of premises in North Wicklow last Wednesday morning seizing cash and imitation firearms.
CAB, assisted by local gardaí, the Garda Emergency Response Unit, Garda Region Support Unit and Garda Public Order Units, conducted searches in the Bray and Newtownmountkennedy areas.
A total of five searches were carried out and approximately €6,000 and £5,200 cash, an imitation firearm, imitation ammunition, and a TV were seized.
Documents and mobile phones/devices are also being examined. A freezing order has been made in respect of approximately €144,000 in a bank account.
No arrests were made. A spokesperson said that the CAB investigation into Wicklow-based organised crime gang continues.
Earlier this month, Chief Superintendent Pat Clavin, head of the Criminal Assets Bureau told members of the County Wicklow Joint Policing Committee that CAB is currently targeting six people in County Wicklow.
He said that the organisation is working closely with local gardai to identify the suspected proceeds of criminal activity.
He said that CAB is currently targeting a number of people in Wicklow who are suspected of amassing assets as a result of criminal activity.
Chief Superintendent Clavin urged people to report any suspicions they had about criminals and their assets to CAB in confidence.
‘We are appealing to the local community to contact us if they suspect someone is involved in crime so that we can make further inquiries. Basically our motto is: Make them pay and take it away. If people that you know never worked a day in their life but are flaunting their wealth, report it,’ Chief Supt Clavin told the JPC meeting.
In a second separate and unrelated operation last Wednesday, CAB, assisted by local Gardaí and Garda Armed Support Unit, conducted a search in the Dublin 8 area. The search relates to a target believed to be connected with suspected members of an organised crime gang involved in the drugs trade. Two vehicles were seized, as well as a quantity of documents, mobile phones, five watches (including Rolex and Breitling) and these are being examined by investigating officers. Again no arrests were made and the investigation into the South Dublin based organised crime gang continues.
CAB carried out further operation, involving searches in Dublin 1, Dublin 7, Dublin 11, North County Dublin and Limerick, on Friday morning. Eighteen premises were searched and cash, watches and cars were seized. No arrests were made during this operation and the investigation is continuing.