The Criminal Assets Bureau has seized a number of luxury items, including cars and watches, following targeted search operations across four counties on Wednesday morning.
Officers conducted search operations in counties, Kildare, Waterford, Laois and Dublin.
The search operation was conducted by Bureau Officers supported by the Dublin Armed Support Unit, the Eastern Regional Armed Support Unit, the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit, The Customs Dog Unit, Kildare Detective Unit, Portlaoise Detective Unit and Detectives attached to the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
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The operation involved over 80 personnel searching fifteen search sites across four counties.
The operation targeted an East European Organised Crime Group involved in the laundering of the proceeds of crime through the second hand car trade.
Gardaí said in a statement: "The OCG (organised crime gang) is also involved in the supply of vehicles to Irish OCGs throughout the country. Today’s operation targeted assets, including properties acquired by the directors of the OCG."
Assets seized today included a Tesla electric vehicle, two BMW IX electric vehicles, two classic vehicles, €15,000 in cash and a number of high value watches including Rolex and Cartier Brands, according to gardaí.
This operation follows from Criminal Assets Bureau search operations conducted during September and October 2021 during the course of which CAB seized eighteen high value vehicles including Audi Q7s, BMW X5s, Range Rovers, a Jaguar I-Pace and a Tesla.
"Today’s operation is significant in the context of the overall CAB proceeds of crime investigation targeting assets, including properties accrued by the directors of the OCG. The investigation remains on-going," a garda statement concluded.
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