https://www.thesun.ie/news/5045672/gang-cash-freezer-gardai-identified-drug-dealers/ASSETS FROZEN Gang with cash hidden in freezer seized by CAB were identified by gardai as suspected drug dealersExclusive
Stephen Breen, Crime Editor
31 Jan 2020, 7:30
A DRUGS gang had frozen cash seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau yesterday.
The mob — run by three pals in the Ballymun area of north Dublin — lost cash, Rolex watches and designer clothing during raid on two properties.
During the searches, CAB recovered €6,000 hidden inside a freezer and six Canada Goose and Moncler coats. Some of the jackets seized are worth over €1,000.
Officers from the Armed Support Unit and Ballymun Garda Station were also involved in the searches.
A CAB spokesman said: “The search operation is a significant development in an ongoing investigation into cash accumulated by a local organised crime gang from the sale and supply of controlled drugs.
“This is an example of the Criminal Assets Bureau working with local gardai to target the low value assets of persons involved in drug dealing in the community in north Dublin.”
SUSPECTED DEALERS TARGETED
The suspected dealers were targeted after they were identified by local gardai as being involved in selling cocaine, cannabis and pills in north Dublin.
Although they aren’t regarded as major players in the gangland scene, they have been involved in supplying drugs for a number of years.
Some of their associates have also been connected to previous feuds in the area. And the main target of the raid also lost €14,560 in cash when cops swooped last September.
A source said: “They have been making a fair amount of money from drug dealing and all of these profits have been used to fund a lavish lifestyle.
"They aren’t on the same level as the main gangs but they were still making enough money to buy the best clothes.
“This result shows the community that small-time dealers will also be targeted.”
CAB’s chief bureau officer, Det Chief Supt Pat Calvin, vowed to continue the fight against all criminals in 2020.
He added: “Our message to people across Ireland is to pick up the phone or email us if they have concerns about people benefiting from the proceeds of crime.
“Once they exceed our threshold and we can show they are proceeds of crime, we will take the case.”
The top cop added: “Today’s small-time criminals can be tomorrow’s godfathers and it’s important for us to target the low-level criminals across Ireland.”
