IN POSSIBLY the biggest operation of its kind in the history of the State, more than 250 gardaí searched 150 premises in the midwest yesterday as part of an investigation into Limerick criminal gangs. The offices of a number of accountants and solicitors were also visited.
Three men were arrested after drugs, firearms, ammunition, cash and a stolen car and motorbike were seized.
The men were released before midnight and gardaí say files are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A substantial amount of paperwork, including house deeds and computer hard drives, were also taken from the offices searched.
Members of the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) were in Limerick last night preparing to transport the material to Dublin for analysis.
Gardaí believe some of the more senior Limerick criminals have bought houses and apartments in recent years in Limerick and abroad, mostly southern Spain and the UK, with the proceeds of their drug dealing.
The material found yesterday may result in their confiscation by Cab.
The co-ordinated searches, codenamed Operation Platinum, began just after first light yesterday and were continuing late last night.
Such was the number of premises raided that some of the searches are due to resume this morning and last for much of the day.
While most properties searched are in Limerick city there were also searches in Clare and Tipperary.
A number also took place at premises owned by gangland figures in Dublin’s north inner city. Some of the Limerick gangs have met Dublin criminals, mostly in prison, in recent years and have sourced guns, drugs and stolen vehicles from them.
The car seized in Limerick yesterday, a stolen VW Passat, had been fitted with false registration plates and gardaí believe it was most likely about to be used as a getaway car for a shooting.
A rifle and handgun seized were being technically examined last night. Hundreds or rounds of .38 and 9mm ammunition, both for handguns, were found.
Cash in mostly euro notes, with some sterling, to the value of about €240,000 was confiscated. Numerous drug seizures, one of which was described as “significant”, yielded cocaine and ecstasy valued at €200,000. More than 20 credit union books were also found.
Some 120 of the properties searched were private residences. Some 15 professional offices, owned by accountancy and solicitors’ firms, were also searched as well as seven business premises and other properties.
Operation Platinum is targeting every gang in Limerick city involved in organised crime.
It was led by Chief Supt Willie Keane, the most senior officer in the Limerick division, and Det Chief Supt John O’Mahoney, the head of Cab.
Chief Supt Keane said he believed yesterday’s search was the biggest in the history of the State against gangland criminals.
“It was primarily driven by the criminal assets of these gangs, in excess of 150 premises have been searched and it is a culmination of many months’ work. Searches of this scale do not happen overnight,” he added.
A team of Garda assets profilers have over the last year been gathering information on the assets of Limerick gang members. A very substantial number of properties have been identified as owned by criminals with no obvious legitimate income.
Cab has been in constant contact with senior gardaí in Limerick for the past four months planning yesterday’s operation.