CAB cracks down on cross-Border crime in joint operation

THE Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has successfully targeted a number of cross-Border criminals in joint operations with its sister agency in the North.

These include Patrick Belton, an alleged oil smuggler and major republican figure and suspected alcohol smugglers, brothers Gerard and Terence Keenan.

Last week, the CAB seized property in Dublin belonging to an alleged Northern Ireland drug dealer Colin Armstrong, who is also suspected of operating a car smuggling business in Dundalk, Co Louth.

The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) in Northern Ireland yesterday gave details of crime bosses it had targeted since its establishment two years ago.

Three of 12 people investigated by the ARA come from a republican or nationalist background, while the remainder, including Armstrong, have a loyalist background.

The most significant republican hit by the ARA is Patrick Belton, suspected of being a major oil smuggler.

The agency has seized his assets, which are valued at £1.2 million sterling (€1.7m), including a luxurious house in south Armagh.

The CAB has also targeted Belton, seizing two houses belonging to him in Inisheen, Co Monaghan, and Dundalk, Co Louth.

The CAB also identified a number of garages were operated by Belton in Co Galway. The Revenue Customs service also has a substantial file on Belton.

The ARA has also frozen assets worth £400,000 (€580,000) belonging to the Keenan brothers, who had operations in Keady in south Armagh and in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

The pair are suspected of excise offences relating to the importation of alcohol.

While the brothers had no known assets here, the CAB identified bank accounts linked to them.

Last week, the ARA seized assets and properties, worth €7m, belonging to Armstrong, a former RUC officer. One of the properties is an apartment in Blackrock, Co Dublin, with a value of around €500,000.

The CAB also identified a garage in Dromad, Co Louth, through which Armstrong was importing Japanese cars.