Update:
1.30pm – The Garda Press Office has further confirmed:
In total, eight (8) searches were conducted in counties, Limerick, Tipperary and Dublin.
Two (2) Residential Premises, Two (2) Business Premises (Car Sales Outlets) and four (4) Professional Premises (Solicitors, Accountant, and a Finance Company) were searched.
The operation is ongoing but the following has been seized so far:
- 115 Vehicles
- €43,000 euro and £1,000 cash
- 1 Rolex watch
Documentation in relation to the ownership of assets, financial documentation, mobile phones and electronic storage devices were seized and are currently being examined by Bureau Officers.
The CAB investigation centres on an Organised Crime Gang involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Limerick City and County areas, and who suspected of being involved in laundering the proceeds of their criminal conduct through a Car Sales Outlet in Limerick City.
A Bank Account held by one Car Sales Business was restrained by a Court Order, pursuant to Section 17(2) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act, 2010.
No arrests were made.
A spokesman confirmed: “Today’s search operation is a significant development in the CAB investigation and will be seen as a major upset to Organised Criminal activity in the Limerick City and County areas.”
Earlier: A car dealership in Limerick City was among a number of premises raided in a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) led operation this morning.
CAB was assisted by the Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU), the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the Garda Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit (SMVIU), the Garda Technical Bureau and the Garda Dog Unit.
Officers carried out an early morning search operation as part of ongoing efforts targeting the assets and activities of an organised crime gang based in the Limerick City and County areas.
Searches are also being conducted in counties, Limerick, Tipperary and Dublin.
The CAB investigation centres on an organised crime gang involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Limerick City and County areas, and who are laundering the proceeds of their criminal conduct through a car sales outlet in Limerick City.
A number of vehicles, including high value cars, were removed from the premises on the outskirts of the city while others are still being taken away.
The Garda Press Office confirmed: “The search operation is currently ongoing and no further details are available.”
