Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Crime Levels

7:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of money laundering incidents uncovered in the past five years to date; the amount recovered through detection of interception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42218/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that seventeen individuals have been prosecuted for money laundering offences in the past five years. In addition a number of money laundering schemes have been uncovered during Garda investigations into serious and organised criminal groupings.

I am further informed that the Money Laundering Investigation Unit (MLIU) at the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation has primary responsibility for the investigation of money laundering offences in this jurisdiction, while the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is charged with depriving criminals and their networks of assets derived from criminal activity. A dedicated unit has been established within the Garda National Drugs Unit to investigate the financial aspects of drug-trafficking and money laundering.

In the past five years the MLIU have taken actions under the Criminal Justice Act 1994 concerning sums of money totalling €4.2 million. A sum of €200,000 has been confiscated for the benefit of the State and proceedings are ongoing in relation to the remainder of these monies.

In addition, CAB using its civil powers, and further to its statutory remit, forwarded in excess of €18.5 million to the Central Exchequer in 2005. In the period 2001 to 2004 CAB, utilising revenue powers, collected taxes totalling €54 million.

It is also worth noting that in the past twelve months the investigation unit of the Garda National Drugs Unit has taken action under the restraint and cash detention provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 on sums of money totalling €1.52 million.

All Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) made to the Money Laundering Investigation Unit of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation are investigated in full in an attempt to link the subject or funds to any form of criminal activity. A number of STR investigations are also referred to the Criminal Assets Bureau annually for further investigation.

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