Assets totalling £24 million sterling have been seized from Northern Ireland criminals in the past nine months, it was revealed today.
More than £13 million of that money has been frozen since October, Security minister Paul Goggins announced, while £5 million was in cash or assets that have been cashed in as a result of court orders.
The minister said the seizures were proof that law enforcement bodies are succeeding.
The update comes ahead of this spring's merger of the Northern Ireland Assets Recovery Agency and the UK-wide Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
Mr Goggins, who today met SOCA and Home Office representatives to discuss the merger, said resources and manpower would not be affected by the move.
PA
