New claim over IRA move away from crime expected

Further confirmation is expected later today from law enforcement agencies that the IRA is moving away from organised crime

Further confirmation is expected later today from law enforcement agencies that the IRA is moving away from organised crime. The claim is expected to be made at the publication of the latest Organised Crime Task Force report in Belfast.

This will outline the rate of serious and organised crime in Northern Ireland, the threats of emerging forms of crime as well as the co-ordinated response by the PSNI, Customs, the intelligence agencies and the British government.

Sources have indicated that further evidence has been uncovered to support the claim that the IRA is ending all activity in line with its statement of last July in which its units were stood down and ordered to cease all activity, including organised crime.

A reliable source made it clear definitive statements on this would not be made until the Independent Monitoring Commission - the British and Irish governments' ceasefires watchdog - issues its next findings in the autumn.

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However, it could be stated at this stage that the Provisionals, unlike loyalist paramilitaries, was progressing to wind up all its operations.

The Irish Times understands the report will summarise the main forms of organised crime, including cross-Border smuggling, fuel laundering, intellectual property theft, illegal drugs and armed robbery. It is expected each form of serious crime will be evaluated in terms running into millions of pounds.

The report will further highlight new and emerging forms of crime and the threats they pose, such as the rise in so-called class-A drugs including heroin and cocaine, as well as the emergence of mafia-style mobs originating from eastern Europe.

The task force was established in 2000 to provide a strategic and coherent approach to fighting organised crime, smuggling and racketeering among the law enforcement bodies in Northern Ireland following more than 30 years of conflict and paramilitarism. The British government believes that up to two-thirds of organised crime networks are paramilitary-linked.

The task force is chaired by Northern Ireland Office security minister Paul Goggins, who will present today's report alongside Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde and the Northern Ireland head of the Assets Recovery Agency, Alan McQuillan.