The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has published a strategic plan outlining its aims for the four-year period from the start of this year to the end of 2023.

The CAB was established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, to fight organised crime and disrupt the activities of criminal gangs.

Its main objective is to target assets which derive, or are suspected to derive, from crime.

New trends

The plan published today (24 July) says criminals “continue to become more adept at concealing the fruits of their criminal conduct”.

The bureau says it aims to identify new trends in how the proceeds of crime are laundered, and broaden the scope of its national and international intelligence sources.

The plan sets targets of beginning 120 new proceeds of crime investigations and carrying out 90 search and enforcement operations over the four-year period.

The bureau also aims to investigate the tax affairs of 170 people or entities, and to step up the detection of social welfare overpayments.

Costs

CAB is also aiming to reduce costs by implementing a digital forensic and e-discovery platform.

In May, Chief Superintendent Mick Gubbins (pictured) was named as CAB’s new Chief Bureau Officer to succeed Pat Clavin, who was appointed by the Policing Authority to the rank of Acting Assistant Commissioner.

The body, which currently has 93 staff, is seeking to identify suitable accommodation for its relocation in 2022.