Small-time criminals in CAB's sights

Small-time criminals who parade their ill-gotten gains around communities are now being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), it was claimed today.

CAB's annual report said it collected more than €10m in unpaid taxes last year and Justice Minster Dermot Ahern said the agency remained a major thorn in the side of organised gangs.

Mr Ahern said he was delighted there is a new focus on lower value assets and middle-ranking criminals who buy big houses and cars with proceeds from crime.

"I believe that this will address the understandable desire of communities that the Bureau should focus on all criminals who are parading their ill-gotten assets before local communities," he explained.

In the past year, CAB also consolidated links with similar asset recovery agencies in other jurisdictions including the UK's Serious and Organised Crime Agency, the FBI and South African authorities to ensure that criminals cannot use international boundaries to evade investigation or seizures.

"I have no doubt that the Bureau will continue to be a thorn in the side of criminals," said Mr Ahern.

Last year the Bureau obtained interim orders to the value of almost €10m and final restraint orders to the value of €6.5m.

Officers also collected more than €10m in taxes and interest.

In addition, Cab made social welfare savings of more than €550,000 and recoveries of around €136,000.

Since it was established in 1996 in the wake of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, CAB has obtained restraint orders to the combined value of more than €100m.

It has also demanded almost €122m in taxes and interest and collected around €118m.

Social welfare savings of more than €3.5m and recoveries of overpayments of approximately €2.5m.

Properties, cars and a mobile home, which were the proceeds of crime, were among the items seized by Cab in 2007.

Cash and jewellery were also confiscated and bank accounts were frozen, the annual report said.

Cab chief Bureau officer, Det Chief Supt John O'Mahoney said: "Targeting a more middle-ranking criminal, while it may not realise extensive funds, illustrates the Bureau's ability to react to local community concern, and as such is seen as an effective use of Bureau resources."

Mr O'Mahoney said the Bureau continued to get close support from banks, accountancy bodies and members of the public.