The 2022/23 annual report of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) reveals that a total of £4.8 million was seized from criminals involved in drug trafficking, modern slavery/human trafficking, cyber-crime, counterfeiting, fuel laundering, waste crime, tobacco and alcohol smuggling, fraud, money laundering and acquisitive crime.

Justice minister Naomi Long said: “”These are not victimless crimes. These crime gangs are not friends or protectors of their communities. They are motivated primarily by greed, preying on the vulnerable and have no compunction in putting them in harm’s way for their own financial gain.”

She added: “The OCTF and partner agencies work hard and dedicate every resource into tackling these criminals and disrupting their activities. However, they can’t do it alone, we must continue to work together to put an end to this and stop these criminals at every opportunity. I encourage communities to not support these criminals but to report their heinous crimes.

“We will continue to do everything within our power to disrupt these gangs from maintaining their lavish lifestyles and seize the proceeds of crime where possible.”

The OCTF brings together police, customs and other law enforcement agencies, along with government departments, academia and the business community to combat organised crime.