Justice Minister Alan Shatter today hosted the annual cross border organised crime seminar with Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford MLA.
The event provides an opportunity for government and law enforcement agencies from across the island of Ireland to share ideas, discuss emerging issues and threats and develop plans for future operational activity.
The Ministers were joined by PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris and Deputy Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan from An Garda Siochana who published the Cross Border Organised Crime Assessment 2012.
The Assessment provides an overview of organised crime in both jurisdictions and outlines some of the cross-border successes.
Minister Shatter said:
It is vitally important that we continue to nurture, and build on, the very valuable levels of trust and cooperation that exist between our Departments and our law enforcement agencies, north and south. This close relationship and the strategic partnerships that it fosters are a very valuable commodity in today’s fight against organised crime. Our Conference today affords us the opportunity to reaffirm the value of that relationship and the commitment of both Governments to ensuring that we do all that we can do to disrupt organised crime gangs on this island.
The Minister added:
Organised crime comes in many guises. It will manifest itself wherever there is the opportunity to make financial gain. It will have no regard to the consequences for our communities, for the pain and suffering caused to those who become its victims or for the disruption caused to, and interference in, our legitimate economy.
Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford said:
The level of cooperation that exists ensures that considerable effort is being made on both sides of the border to disrupt and dismantle organised crime gangs who bring such harm to our community.
The Threat Assessment outlines how human trafficking remains a priority area for both jurisdictions. The levels and potency of illegal drugs, fuel laundering and tobacco fraud also feature heavily along with emerging threats such as an increase in cybercrime.
Jointly publishing the Cross Border Organised Crime Assessment 2012, Assistant Chief Constable, Crime Operations Department, Drew Harris:
This report provides a valuable analysis of the nature and extent of cross border organised crime, the real dangers created by it and how law enforcement partners are dealing with these challenges.
Read the full press release here.