More than €3m returned to Irish Exchequer this month from crime proceeds

More than €3 million was yielded to the Irish Exchequer in cash this month from money seized from criminals by An Garda Síochána through the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).

This cash, which was forfeited to the State at the conclusion of criminal proceedings, is the proceeds from serious criminal activity, mainly drug trafficking.

According to gardai, 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.

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The cash is predominantly handed over either by those suffering from lifelong drug addictions, or other individuals purchasing dangerous controlled drugs for use in a recreational environment for their own personal gratification.

"Every person who hands over cash for the purchase of illegal drugs should know that their action is directly linked to the human misery and carnage caused by criminality and supporting the lifestyle of persons at the highest levels in transnational Organised Crime Groups," a garda spokesperson said in a statement.

"The purchase of dangerous controlled drugs for use in a recreational environment directly supports criminality."

Since the GNDOCB was established in 2015, it has returned more than €20 million to the State at the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

Speaking about this most recent lodgement, 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.

"An Garda Síochána, through the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) will continue to target and disrupt and dismantle those national priority high risk criminal networks impacting on community safety.”

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