Tax official held in car scam probe

Detectives believed to be probing a top-of-the-range car scam arrested a tax official and seized dozens of luxury vehicles, it emerged tonight.

Officers from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), which targets organised crime, took part in the operation, which included raids on 30 houses and offices in Dublin.

A handgun and documents were also found in the dawn swoop.

The man in his 50s was arrested in Finglas, an area in north Dublin, and is detained at Blanchardstown Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

It is understood the cars involved included Bentleys, Range Rovers and Mercedes imported into Ireland.

The arrest was made under Operation Tie which is targeting general criminal activity and revenue irregularities.

A Garda spokesman said: “Between 6am and 9am this morning officers engaged in Operation Tie searched a total of 30 premises which included private houses, business premises and professional offices.

“A quantity of documentation was seized during the course of these searches, along with a number of vehicles and a 9mm handgun.”

Gardaí said Operation Tie, which was established in March, is ongoing.