CAB seizes cars, gun in major crime operation

Gardaí from the Criminal Assets Bureau along with customs officers have seized cars, documentation and a handgun after a series…

Gardaí from the Criminal Assets Bureau along with customs officers have seized cars, documentation and a handgun after a series of 30 raids on homes and businesses in Dublin today.

It is understood the raids related to an ongoing investigation into tax irregularities in the motor trade.

A man in his 50s, believed to be an employee of the Revenue Commissioners, was arrested. The raids were the culmination of a nine-month operation dubbed Operation TIE, a Garda statement said.

Gardaí were investigating criminal activity, primarily revenue irregularities and profits deriving from criminal activity, the statement added.

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"Between 6am and 9am this morning officers engaged in Operation TIE searched a total of 30 premises which included private houses; business premises and professional offices. A quantity of documentation was seized during the course of these searches, along with a number of vehicles and a 9mm handgun."

While searches took place throughout the city, the bulk were concentrated on locations in the Dublin 12 / Naas Road area, according to the Garda.

"One man in his 50s was arrested...and is currently detained at Blanchardstown Garda station under the provisions of section 4 Criminal Justice Act."

The operation is "ongoing", the Garda statement concluded.

Separately, two people have been released from Garda custody in Dublin after they were questioned about the seizure of a firearm and ammunition.

The man and woman were arrested in the St Anne's Park area of Raheny as a result of an ongoing operating targeting the sale and supply of drugs, a Garda statement said.

The operation was carried out over a period of time by Raheny gardaí as part of Operation Anvil.

A 45-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were stopped leaving St Anne's Park last Monday evening and a handgun and ammunition were seized. Both were arrested and taken to Raheny and Clontarf Garda Stations.

They were both released from custody last night and a file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.