Record £10m crime assets targeted

Millions of pounds worth of assets were targeted

More than £10m worth of criminal assets were either seized or frozen between April and September this year.

Security Minister Paul Goggins said the sum recovered already exceeded the total amount seized during the last financial year.

Mr Goggins, chairman of the Organised Crime Task Force, said it would continue to fight organised crime.

Mr Goggins told a group of accountants in Belfast they had a vital role to play in combating racketeering.

"The OCTF is committed to the fight against organised crime in Northern Ireland and we will continue to take that fight directly to the criminals involved," he said.

"The assets we have seized from those who flout the law will be ploughed back into the fight against organised crime."

The PSNI, Assets Recovery Agency and Revenue and Customs co-operated to net large sums of cash.

In the first six months of this financial year PSNI and HMRC have:

Seized £568,693 in cash;

Obtained cash forfeiture orders amounting to £184,708;

Obtained Confiscation orders (following a criminal conviction) amounting to £307,794; and

Obtained Restraint Orders to the value of £3,276,699

Mr Goggins revealed the figure to a group of accountants

The Assets Recovery Agency has disrupted assets of £4,365,500 and achieved Recovery Orders/settlements to the value of £2,123,105.

Mr Goggins told delegates at a special seminar for members of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants that the profession could play its part.

"As professional accountants working across many business sectors Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CIMA) members can help break the chain of criminal finance that harms everyone and attempts to undermine our economy," he said.

"The honest business community has nothing to fear and benefits hugely when criminals engaging in illegal financial practice are caught.

"Your continued vigilance in playing your part can help re-inforce the clear message that there is no hiding place for assets obtained through unlawful activity."

Deborah Reynolds, CIMA Branch President, said organised crime had a direct impact on the business community.

"As professional accountants we fully support and will actively assist the OCTF in its fight against criminal activity in Northern Ireland," she said.