An Garda Síochána has lodged €3.1 million in cash to the Exchequer this month via the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).
The money was forfeited to the State at the end of criminal proceedings, with a statement from the Gardaí describing the cash as “the proceeds of crime the lifeblood of serious criminal activity mainly drug trafficking”.
“Ultimately, each note was either directly or indirectly destined for the personal gain and enjoyment of those at the top levels of transnational Organised Crime Groups.
“The cash is predominately handed over either by those whose lives are now destroyed by lifelong drugs addictions, or other individuals purchasing dangerous controlled drugs for use in a recreational environment for their own personal gratification,” the statement said.
Since the establishment of the GNDOCB in 2015, over €20 million has been given to the State at the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
Of the most recent lodgment, Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland said, “The bulk of the €20 million in cash that we have lodged to the Exchequer account following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, is the proceeds of drug trafficking. It represents a portion of the cash handed over by people engaged in casual drug use across the country”.
“All of this cash is invested in serious and organised crime and leads to increased drug supply, violence and drug related intimidation. Demand fuels supply,” he said.
“An Garda Síochána, through the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau will continue to target and disrupt and dismantle those national priority high risk criminal networks impacting on community safety.”