Trove of luxury items seized in CAB raids
Officers hit drugs gang involved in Longford feud
THE Criminal Assets Bureau has seized several luxury watches, designer handbags and more than a dozen cars during a series of raids in Co. Longford.
Twelve residential properties, three commercial premises and one business was searched as part of a Garda operation targeting an organised crime group involved in the sale and supply of drugs, as well as other criminality.
It is understood that the gang have bought at least four properties on the same road in a housing estate as well as development land in Co. Longford.
Sources say one property which was raided yesterday had around €500,000 worth of upgrades made to it, including a huge amount of marble and granite fittings.
Among the items seized were 11 vehicles including a Mercedes, Skoda Kodiaq, Isuzu D-MAX, Ford Ranger, Toyota Land Cruiser and assorted light commercial vehicles, three caravans, three power washers and designer watches and handbags.
In cash, €110,000 and £14,000 was also seized and over €80,000 was frozen in bank accounts.
As well as drug dealing, the gang targeted is also suspected of involvement in organised prostitution in Longford and is suspected if robberies of goods and equipment. The criminal group targeted are also deeply involved in feuding in Longford.
The series of raids took place in Longford town, Edgeworthstown and Keenagh. Property with an estimated value of up to €500,000 was seized by CAB but no arrests were made yesterday. Some 16 searches were conducted in total. Other items seized include two Rolex and one TAG Heuer watch, as well as designer handbags and shoes. CAB was assisted in the major operation by members of the Western Region Armed Support Unit, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda
National Immigration Bureau and the Garda Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit.
Gardaí confirmed that the gang targeted in the raids is heavily involved in an ongoing feud in the Longford area.
In a statement, the bureau said: ‘The CAB investigation is focused on an organised criminal group based in Co. Longford who are suspected to be involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs, intimidation and extortion of monies.’
They added the gang targeted in the search operation ‘is heavily involved in the ongoing feud in the Longford area’ and a number of its members ‘have been before the courts in relation to criminal incidents emanating from this feud’. They said the gang has amassed a large property portfolio ‘as a result of the proceeds of their involvement’ in crime.
‘Drugs, intimidation and extortion