'SHAME THESE DRUG BARONS'

(Offenders Register Call By Parties)

DRUG dealers should be put on a 'name and shame' register similar to the
one for sex offenders, Assembly members demanded today.

The politicians united to call for a register of Northern Ireland's biggest
drug dealers so banks could use the list to expose their money laundering
activities and neighbours would be warned dealers are living in their areas.

Last week the Belfast Telegraph named 15 of some 50 Ulster criminals who
have had assets of almost pounds 1.4m seized.

The RUC's Financial Investigations Unit has seized houses, other property,
cash and cars from drug dealers, fraudsters and other criminals over the
past five years.

Detective Superintendent David Thompson, who heads the unit, yesterday told
an Assembly committee that there are around 180 people in the province who
have built up "substantial assets" from crime.

His revelation comes as the Government's new Organised Crime Task Force
begins to target 20 'Mr Bigs' involved in smuggling, drug dealing and fraud.

Those who have had assets seized in recent times include Robert Francis
Russell, who lost pounds 57,000 for masterminding Ulster's biggest benefits
scam when he fleeced his employer, the Social Security Agency, out of a
staggering pounds 250,000.

Assembly members Paul Berry (DUP) and John Dallat (SDLP) said a Criminals
Register could prove of immense benefit to the fight against crime.

Mr Berry said: "This has to be brought forward as a matter of urgency. The
people who have been found guilty of criminal activities should be
registered somewhere, so banks and building societies have notification of
this.

"We have to ensure that their crimes are not repeated."

His views were echoed by Mr Dallat, who believes such a register would act
as an incentive for young people not to get involved in crime.

"This would again show that crime does not pay," he said.

"People would be aware they will lose any money they make illegally and end
up in prison as well.

"People who get involved in drug dealing and other crimes often flaunt
their wealth and power in the communities they are destroying."

Under current legislation in Northern Ireland, financial institutions are
required by law to notify police of any "suspicious" transactions.

Police can go into court for a Production Order to serve on banks, building
societies and other financial institutions to ask for production of a
suspect's records.

A Scottish Labour MP has already unveiled plans to create a Drug
Trafficking Offenders Register which will name drug barons who had been
operating in the country.