State gets €260,000 in drug money found hidden in ships

Almost €260,000 in suspected drug money, found hidden in two shipments of glass to Portugal, was forfeited to the State following a Circuit Court hearing yesterday.

According to the Revenue Commissioners, in June 2003 officers from its customs service found €129,985 in €20 and €50 notes hidden in a ship in Dublin Port bound for Portugal.

The Portuguese authorities subsequently searched another ship from the Republic, following contact from Irish customs, and found €130,000.

They confiscated the cash and returned it to the State.

The Revenue said yesterday that, acting under Section 38 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994, customs seized the €260,000.

In both cases, the cash was hidden in crates carrying glass.

Revenue officials said that their intelligence indicated the money was connected with drug-trafficking offences.

They said the cash had originated in Northern Ireland, but the owner could not be traced.

Judge Desmond Hogan of the Dublin Circuit Court ordered that the money be forfeited to the State.

The Criminal Justice Act allows customs officers or gardaí to seize cash sums exceeding €6,350 where they believe that it represents the proceeds of drug trafficking, or is intended to be used for that purpose.

They can hold the cash for 48 hours, pending investigation.

The officer involved can apply to the District Court to retain it beyond that time.

Subsequently, the Director of Public Prosecutions applies to have it forfeited to the State.

Since 2000, the authorities have seized close to €1.4 million in suspected drug money in euro, sterling and punts. In 11 cases, involving a total of €390,800, the State got the money.

A further 14 cases, involving €590,860, are either under investigation or due before the courts. The authorities returned another €392,550 because there was insufficient evidence to connect it with drugs.

The cash is forfeited if the court decides on the balance of probabilities that it is drug money.

This has happened in all 11 cases that have gone to court in the last five years.

This year's Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act will broaden customs and Garda powers.

Currently they can only seize cash suspected of use in buying and selling drugs.

Once the new law comes into force, they will be able to seize cash, cheques, drafts and bonds suspected of use in any criminal activity.