CAB SEIZES POUNDS 13M FROM CRIMINALS

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), the multi-agency group which has
spearheaded the drive against drug barons and crime gang bosses, has
seized more than pounds 13m in assets since it was established four
years ago.

The bureau was set up as part of a major anti crime package introduced
by the Rainbow Coalition in the wake of journalist Veronica Guerin's
murder in June 1996 and based on legislative proposals tabled by
current Justice Minister John O'Donoghue.

The personnel strength of the CAB, which includes gardai, revenue
officials and members of the Department of Social Affairs, has been
increased recently to 45 and is headed by Det Chief Supt Felix McKenna.

Latest figures show the CAB seized an estimated pounds 1.3m last year
under the Proceeds of Crime Act, compared with pounds 2.7m in 1998,
pounds 3.8m in 1997 and pounds 4.1m in 1996.

The CAB also demanded tax and interest totalling pounds 32.7m over the
past four years and collected pounds 3.1m in taxes. The figures for
last year were pounds 13.3m and pounds 2.3m, respectively.

The bureau activities also resulted in social welfare savings of
pounds 734,109 in the four years, including pounds 279,000 last year.

It is regarded nationally and internationally as a model operation and
is being studied by government advisers in several overseas
jurisdictions as an effective crime fighting weapon.

Its targets in the past few years have included international and
local drug traffickers and gangland bosses as well overseas based
crime gangs.