GARDA SUSPENDED IN GANG FRAUD INQUIRY
Officer linked to bogus insurance certificates scam
AN officer has been suspended and a Garda station raided as detectives probe an alleged insurance scam.
It is believed the garda is suspected of involvement with a scam run by criminals living in the Co Limerick area.
Officers searched a nearby halting site and 16 houses and seized phones, documents and two cars.
A source said: “Gardai uncovered a scam involving bogus insurance certificates.
“The gang involved are very well known and it is feared they’ve been using these connections to carry out illegal activities.
“Four detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrived at a Garda station on Thursday night and searched the garda’s locker.
“It is understood they seized mobiles and other items. Then yesterday morning they raided a halting site and houses linked to the gang were also searched.”
A Garda Press Office spokesman yesterday confirmed the incident and said officers are continuing their probe.
He added: “Officers from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, conducting an investigation into the use of bogus insurance certificates, have completed a number of searches in the Limerick area last night and today. A search was conducted in a Limerick Garda station and in 16 residential premises.
“Documentation, phones, personal computers and two vehicles have been seized.
“No persons have been arrested at this time and investigations are ongoing.”
Criminal gangs have been operating in the Co Limerick area for a number of years. One of the most spectacular raids saw one gang suspected of involvement in the theft of a rhino horn from a French zoo.
The gang has been involved in crime across the globe and members own lavish properties across England, Spain, France, America and Ireland.
And it has been on the prowl in South America since Christmas.
The gang, who are all members of the Traveller Community, operate in Honduras, San Salvador and Colombia.
They are also linked to the Triads from China and also are suspected of involvement in crimes Dominican Republic and Canada in 2016.
Number of properties searched in Co Limerick yesterday morning