DRUG DEALER FAMILY MAKE THE STATE POUNDS 250,000 RICHER

NEARLY pounds 250,000 belonging to the drug trafficking Felloni family
is now in the hands of the State following a High Court order
yesterday confiscating monies belonging to 20-year-old daughter, Regina.

Mr Frank Cassidy, of the Chief State Solicitor's office acting on
behalf of the DPP, was previously made a receiver over Ms Felloni's
monies, which were found in bank, building society and post office
accounts, together with sums in cash.

Three family members, including Regina, are serving sentences for drug
offences Anthony, the father, 20 years; Luigi, a son, six years, and
Regina six years and nine months.

The High Court last month made orders that monies belonging to Anthony
and Luigi be handed over to Mr Cassidy and deposited in a bank pending
further court order.

It was alleged Anthony benefited from drug trafficking in the amount
of pounds 400,000 and that pounds 80,000 was recoverable. It was
alleged Luigi benefited in the amount of pounds 75,000 and that pounds
23,000 could be recovered.

Yesterday, Mr Justice O'Higgins made orders that Mr Cassidy be made
receiver of all monies in Ireland in the name of Regina Felloni and
that it be invested pending further orders of the court. The total sum
is about pounds 140,000.

The judge also gave permission for the sale by public auction of a
house in Regina's name at Mellowes Road, Finglas, Dublin and the sale
of her car.

A valuation of the premises was given to Mr Justice O'Higgins, but not
disclosed. It was shown to Ms Felloni who accepted it. She requested
that the premises should not be sold prior to auction.

It was agreed Dublin Corporation could seek pounds 8,845 once the
monies were lodged in court. The Corporation claim relates to costs it
was awarded after Ms Felloni lost an injuries action against it.

It is understood the court will be asked at a later date to make an
order that the monies be handed over to Central Funds.

An earlier court hearing was told that Regina also had another pounds
69,000Stg in bank accounts in Belfast and Britain.

Yesterday's hearing follows a four-year investigation of the Fellonis
by gardai from Dublin's north central drugs unit.