Removing Profits From Organised Crime A 'Powerful Tool'
Disrupting the activities of organised crime groups by removing profits has been described as a "powerful tool" by Justice Minister Naomi Long.
Long was speaking as she begins the process of bringing Northern Ireland into line with legislative provisions elsewhere. Four Northern Ireland codes of practice issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) were before the Assembly for approval. POCA is a UK wide Act designed to provide law enforcement with tools to recover the proceeds of crime and deny criminals the opportunity to accumulate assets secured by illegal means.
Minister Long said: "We know that criminals are motivated by greed and personal gain. As I have said before, criminal gangs abuse and exploit others at will, profiteering from communities and contributing nothing but misery and fear. The luxurious lifestyles they lead are often at the expense of the some of the most vulnerable in our society.