CAB seizes property, gold bars, cash and car as they target organised crime group in midlands

Properties have been seized in three different counties as the Criminal Assets Bureau investigated the activities of a Longford-based Organised Crime Group (OCG) involved in the sale and supply of drugs, and serious feud related activity in Ireland.

On foot of High Court applications under the Proceeds of Crime Acts, CAB has taken possession of a range of assets in counties Kildare, Longford and Leitrim, as part of its work to dismantle the Longford crime group.

During their investigation, CAB established that these properties and other assets were funded by the proceeds of crime.

A property at Ardnacassa, Longford was seized and at this address, CAB also took possession of €25,325 in three bank accounts, €17,815 cash, a 191 Ford Focus, a double axel Tuffmac trailer and a trailer dolly.

A Louis Vuitton Popincourt tote and matching wallet, a Louis Vuitton Alma BB Vernis handbag and a pair of Christian Louboutin Decollette nude heels were also seized.

A quantity surveyor appointed by the Bureau, provided the High Court with independent expert evidence which proved that the works completed at the property following its purchase in October 2015, would have been in the region of €337,499.

The money used to build the refurbish and renovate the property are determined to have derived from criminality.

Substantial land and several outbuildings were seized by CAB at three locations in Co Leitrim.

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CAB also took possession of a property at Ellistown, Co. Kildare where €10,150 cash and gold bars to the value of €5,600, also deemed to be the proceeds of crime, were seized.

In the expert opinion of a court appointed Quantity Surveyor, the total cost of the subsequent renovation of the property purchased in 2014, would have been in the region of €64,364 plus VAT.

The money used to renovate the property are determined to have derived from the criminal conduct.

The properties seized will eventually be sold by private treaty or public auction and the money returned to the taxpayer through the Central Fund along with all other cash and money generated from the sale of the goods seized.

In the past twelve months, CAB has sold 24 properties, the highest number since the bureau was established in 1996.