New agency tightens grip on organised crime

New plans to clamp down on the network of organised crime in Northern Ireland have been announced today by the Secretary of State Dr John Reid.

The creation of the Assets Recovery Agency, reinforced by the Proceeds of Crime Bill were outlined on Thursday at Hillsborough Castle as part of a government strategy to combat organised crime and “gangsterism” in Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the launch of the Organised Crime Taskforce’s second Threat Assessment and Strategy in Hillsborough today, Dr Reid said: “Our grip is tightening on organised crime and no effort will be spared in the fight against the tyranny of gangsterism in Northern Ireland.

“Under the leadership of Security Minister Jane Kennedy, the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) has shown that the most effective way to tackle organised crime is through the co-ordinated, multi-agency approach.

“PSNI and Customs are at the operational cutting edge and their successes in the first full year of the OCTF in dealing telling blows against organised crime in terms of seizures and the disruption and dismantling of criminal gangs is testimony to their great commitment to this task".

The First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland's power sharing government and representatives from the partner agencies of the task force attended the event on Thursday, which showcased counterfeit goods and money seized by police and Customs and Excise officers.

In March this year Dr Reid appointed American Professor Ronald Goldstock to help tackle Northern Ireland's growing organised crime problem.

Professor Goldstock, who led the fight in New York against the Mafia and whose office indicted Colombian drugs barons, has been tasked with securing cross-community support for action in tackling the problem and will advise Dr Reid on criminality. He will also make recommendations for tackling the problem of organised crime, which Dr Reid called a “scourge” on society.

(AMcE)