Cross border co-operation 'working against organised crime'

Greater co-operation between the Gardaí and the PSNI is resulting in "significant successes" against organised crime on both sides of the border.

That is according to Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy and his Northern counterpart Chief Constable Hugh Orde who have been revealing details of the first cross-border assessment of organised crime today.

The report highlights eight key areas of cross-border activity, all illegal and all lucrative.

They include money laundering and fraud, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, and immigration crime.

PSNI chief Hugh Orde has said the report is a "milestone" in the fight against organised crime.

He praised the partnership with the Gardaí, saying: "Criminals on both sides of the border work closely together and so must we."

The joint operations, intelligence sharing and regular contact between law enforcers North and South have led to significant successes - such as drug seizures, and arrests.

The police chiefs were joined by the North's Security Minister Ian Pearson and Justice Minister Michael McDowell, who accused members of paramilitary groups of making huge profits from organised crime.