The Criminal Assets Bureau conducted searches this morning, Wednesday, 29 June 2022 in counties Kildare, Waterford, Laois and Dublin.
The operation was conducted by Bureau Officers, supported by the Dublin Armed Support Unit, the Eastern Regional Support Unit, the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit, the Customs Dog Unit, Kildare Detective Unit, Portlaoise Detective Unit and Detectives attached to the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
This operation involved over eighty personnel searching fifteen search sites across four counties.
This morning’s operation targeted an East European Organised Crime Group involved in the laundering of the proceeds of crime through the second hand car trade. The Organised Crime Group is also involved in the supply of vehicles to Irish Organised Crime Gangs throughout the country.
Today’s operation targeted assets, including properties acquired by the directors of the Organised Crime Gang.
Assets seized today included the following:
- One Tesla electric vehicle
- Two BMW IX electric vehicles (221 Reg’s)
- Two Classic vehicles
- €15,000 in cash
- A number of high value watches including Rolex and Cartier Brands
Today’s operation follows from previous Criminal Assets Bureau search operations conducted during September and October 2021, during the course of which CAB seized eighteen high value vehicles including a Audi Q7’s, BMW X 5’s, Range Rover’s, a Jaguar I-Pace and a Tesla.
The operation today is significant in the context of overall CAB proceeds of crime investigation targeting assets, including properties accrued by the directors of the Organised Crime Gang. The investigation remains ongoing.