Agencies seize £2m crime assets

Almost £2m of criminal assets was recovered in the first three months of this year, the Security Minister Paul Goggins has said.

Mr Goggins said enforcement agencies were on course to meet or exceed targets for recovered assets.

"I have set challenging and realistic targets of what can be recovered over the next two years," he said.

"The results from the first quarter are encouraging and show that we are on course to hit those targets."

Mr Goggins, who chairs the Organised Crime Task Force, said he was confident that the "expertise and determination of our law enforcement agencies will result in criminal gangs being disrupted and their cash and assets recovered and taken from them."

Half of the money recovered will be given to law enforcement agencies and can be used to step up their fight against organised crime and develop crime fighting schemes.