Gardaí raid family crime operation

Gardaí hope to break a major crime operation which includes drug-dealing and illegal moneylending following a search targeting homes and rented properties yesterday.

The early-morning raids focused on one extended family in Waterford City who are believed to be involved in lending money to vulnerable people and terrorising them to repay multiples of original loans.

The criminals are going to such lengths as retaining victims’ children’s allowance details and other social welfare books to ensure the money collected is handed over.