Cross-border policing operations net almost €10m worth of drugs
Joint investigations led to the dismantling of a major Lithuanian heroin network operating across the island and an organised crime gang involved in a spate of ATM thefts on both sides of the border.
The Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force comprises An Garda Síochána and the PSNI, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the British National Crime Agency.
Thu, 17 Dec, 2020 - 17:09
Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent Cross-border law enforcement operations have netted almost €10m worth of drugs and nearly €1.3m in cash over the last seven months, according to official figures.
Crime Correspondent
Over one point €2 million worth of drugs have been seized and 20 people charged over a six month period this year as part of cross border investigations.
The Joint Agency Task Force enables law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border to co-operate in investigations into rural and financial crime, drugs, human trafficking, organised immigration offences and excise fraud.
The Agency s report published today says a Lithuanian Organised Crime Group selling heroin in Ireland was targeted and resulted in 65 searches and 18 arrests in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Lithuania and the seizure of over €700,000.
In a separate investigation eighteen potential victims of human trafficking targeted in Lithuania and brought to Ireland to sell drugs were also identified.