The Criminal Assets Bureau has announced it made record seizures from suspected criminals last year.
Figures released today in its annual report show that CAB seized more than €44 million in interim orders, taxes, and final restraint orders.
Interim orders prevent suspects from selling off their assets, which can be shown to be the proceeds of crime. When the High Court grants an interim order, the Bureau, within 21 days, must apply to the court for a final restraint order which can freeze the assests for seven years.
Of the total amount seized by the CAB last year, interim orders were to the value of more than €34 million and final restraint orders amounted to more €10 million.
Taxes and interest demanded were in excess of €12.8 million and more than €10 million was collected.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said the annual report for 2002, the seventh such report, "underlines the key role of the Bureau in the fight against crime, particularly in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime."
The bureau was set up in 1996 following the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin.