Armed robber targeted in nationwide CAB raids
A CONVICTED armed robber who has become one of the Kinahan cartel’s main Dublin operators was the primary target of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) as it raided almost 40 homes and businesses nationwide.
CAB officers, supported by national and local Garda units, searched properties in four counties yesterday as part of a massive investigation into gangster Ross Browning (34).
The north inner city criminal was previously a driver and enforcer for the cartel, but has since risen through the ranks to become one of its main operators on Dublin’s northside.
Shortly after 5am, CAB officers, backed by heavily armed gardaí, began searching several locations in Dublin, Meath, Longford and Limerick.
In total, 20 homes, 19 businesses including accountants and solicitors, as well as a gym linked to Browning, were searched.
The large haul seized from the cartel mobster included:
Approximately €15,000 in cash;
Luxury vehicles including an Audi Q7, Mercedes Vito, VW Golf Mark 7 GTD, VW Golf, and a Honda motorcycle;
■ Watches including Breitling, Rolex, Cartier and Legend.
A large amount of documentation was also recovered which will be analysed by specialist gardaí, as well as mobile phones.
CAB also secured a freezing order on a bank account which contained a substantial amount of money.
One house raided by gardaí was Browning’s family home in Hardwicke Street, in the north inner city, while properties in Finglas and north county Dublin were also searched.
The main focus of CAB was a city-centre flat, two homes, a plot of land and industrial unit as well as two properties in Limerick. The head of CAB described yesterday’s raids as a “significant development” and added it would continue to go after the gang’s ill-gotten gains.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Clavin said: “This CAB investigation into an organised crime gang is continuing, today marks a significant development in the progress of this investigation.
“The Criminal Assets Bureau is relentless in its mission to identify the criminally acquired assets of persons and to deny such people these assets.”