Canada Goose jackets, D&G washbags and a Tesla seized by CAB in 2022

The bureau also obtained an order to seize more than €53,500 cash and a section 7 power of sale order for a luxury property valued between €750,000 and €800,000

Luxury property in West Dublin valued between €750,000 and €800,000 was owned by cartel boss Daniel Kinahan. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) returned €6.3m to the Exchequer last year, after seizing luxury cars, designer clothes, watches and a mansion owned by Daniel Kinahan.

In its 2022 annual report CAB said it continued to tackle criminality by carrying out 49 search operations, as well as 134 individual searches across 20 counties.

The bureau was founded in 1996 following the death of journalist Veronica Guerin to target assets generated from criminality.

The report lists how the state body confiscated Canada Goose Gilet designer jackets, a Tesla, Dolce & Gabbana washbags, Christian Louboutin shoes, Louis Vuitton bags and Rolex in 2022.

The designer goods seized were valued in excess of €22,950 while cash recovered amounted to €713,985 including £20,750 (sterling) and 9,682 Chinese RMB.

Cash in five bank accounts totalling in excess of €118,851 was also seized by CAB.

The results for 2022 compared with 2021 show the value of assets frozen has increased by €2.117m from the previous year where the value was €3.068m.

The report said the value of the 160 assets frozen by CAB during the year 2022 was €5,184,599.

The bureau also obtained an order to seize more than €53,500 cash and a section 7 power of sale order for a luxury property in West Dublin valued between €750,000 and €800,000.

Last year the High Court heard that the house was owned by cartel boss Daniel Kinahan.

The five-bedroomed luxury property in Saggart was previously owned by Jim Mansfield Junior who gave the house to the Kinahan cartel as a repayment after a deal collapsed between them.

In its report, CAB said the investigation arose following a criminal investigation in 2014.

The individuals the report said involved “known associates of an international organised crime group who are suspected to be involved in money laundering activities and the importation and supply of illegal drugs in Ireland”.

Meanwhile the bureau said it continues to liaise and conduct investigations with law enforcement and judicial authorities throughout Europe and worldwide.

This includes agencies in Northern Ireland, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Minister McEntee marked the report's publication stating “I was particularly pleased to see CAB refocus its efforts towards strong co-operation with locally trained Divisional Asset Profilers, who are trained by CAB.

“These profilers are the eyes and ears of the bureau, as they cover every Garda Division, and have first-hand knowledge of criminality in their local areas.

“The Divisional Asset Profiler Network provides the bureau with an increased reach to all areas throughout the country.

“An additional 37 Divisional Asset Profilers were trained in 2022, and extra training was provided for 130 existing Divisional Asset Profilers.”

By the end of 2022 there were 572 profilers but the number has risen to 600 in 2023, the highest number ever in the organisation's history.

The work of CAB includes 545 Gardaí, 19 officers of the Revenue Commissioners engaged in Customs and Excise duties and 8 officers of the Department of Social Protection.