DUBLIN: The Garda and British police have seized 170 cars and trucks as part of an investigation into a UK-based international criminal gang that smuggled vehicles from the UK to Ireland and extorted money through the motor trade.
The criminal gang involved in stealing money from the motor business through CEO impersonation and invoice redirect fraud is from Pakistan and Lithuania.
The robbers set up their own company. They also bought an unused garage in Tipperary. According to the investigation team, the gang had been taking advantage of this car dealership in Tipperary to commit invoice redirect fraud.
Cars were imported from the United Kingdom, taken to Ireland and sold here legally. However, the investigation revealed that it was just an arrangement to launder the stolen money.
The Criminal Assets Bureau yesterday seized 85 cars and trucks and a transporter worth more than €2 million in six raids on homes and businesses in Clare and Tipperary counties. They have found more than €20,000. Bank accounts worth more than €20,000 were frozen.
The seized vehicles included a Range Rover, a BMW, an Audi, a Volkswagen and a Skoda, as well as two flat-bed trucks and a car transporter. The Emergency Response Unit, the Stolen Car Unit, the National Immigration Bureau and the Customs Dog Unit also participated in the investigation.
Meanwhile, West Midlands police seized 90 cars during a search in the UK. Four people were arrested. Michael Gubbins, Chief Superintendent, said the cooperation between the Garda and the UK police in controlling and apprehending international organised crime groups was effective here.