The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) had its most successful year to date in 2002, taking more than €10 million from criminals and freezing assets and cash to the value of €34 million.
The bureau also demanded taxes of almost €13 million from criminals and individuals on the fringes of organised crime. It collected €10 million in taxes during last year.
Details of CAB's activities were contained in its annual report, which was published yesterday.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, welcomed the report saying: " underlines the key role of the bureau in the fight against crime, particularly in the fight against drug-trafficking and organised crime and, more importantly, highlights the successes of the bureau in tackling such serious crime."
"The bureau will continue, with the full support of the Government, to prevent those involved in the drugs trade, and in other forms of serious crime, from enjoying the proceeds of their illegal activity."
The head of CAB, Chief Supt Felix McKenna, said continued support from members of the public, Revenue and other Government departments had resulted in delivering financial blows to many criminals.
He rejected suggestions CAB's focus has been directed away from organised crime in favour of white-collar criminals.
"We don't differentiate between the nature of one crime or another. If something is the proceeds of criminal activity, we will give it our attention. Between 75 and 80 per cent of the cases we handled last year were against drug dealers, so we are very much still focused on that area."
He added that CAB has received a number of delegations from Central European countries which are applicant members of the EU. A number of high-ranking CAB officials travelled to those countries in 2002 to make presentations to legislative drafting committees.
Interlocutory orders were granted to CAB by the High Court in respect of €10 million during 2002. This means the court gave permission for the bureau to take possession of cash and assets which it had previously frozen.
The value of the orders far exceeds all previous years. In 2001, interlocutory orders were granted in respect of €2.3 million.
The High Court also granted interim orders to CAB to the value of €34 million. This means assets and cash have been frozen by the court. CAB will now prepare books of evidence against suspects and will return to the High Court seeking interlocutory, or final, orders.
While the €34 million value of assets and cash frozen by interim order during the year is seven times higher than the previous highest annual total, a significant proportion is accounted for by just two cases.
One order was granted against Dylan Creaven, in respect of around €22 million he had in the bank. Creaven, with an address in Ennis, Co Clare, is currently in prison in England for his alleged role in a massive carousel fraud.
The fraud involved the alleged movement of computer components in a circle between various companies to generate VAT payments.
Another interim order, for €6.5 million, was granted in respect of monies held in Irish banks by a US-based fraudster, Terry Dowdel. He is currently in prison in the US for his role in a high- yield investment scam.
Taxes and interest demanded by CAB during 2002 amounted to €12.8 million, up from €8.3 million in 2001. However, taxes collected fell to €10 million from €23.6 million.
