§ 4. Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress there has been in the past six months in the fight against organised crime in Northern Ireland. [51670]
§ Jane KennedyWe are beginning to make a real impact in disrupting and dismantling the organised crime gangs in Northern Ireland with a further 60 recruits. Just last Friday, the police foiled another armed robbery against a security firm and released a hostage in a daring, well executed, operation.
835W
§ 27. Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent action has been taken to tackle(a) smuggling and (b) other forms of organised crime. [51694]
§ Jane KennedyIn September 2000 the Government established an Organised Crime Task Force in Northern Ireland. The task force, which I chair, bring the various agencies that can make a difference, such as the police service of Northern Ireland and HM Customs and Excise to agree crime types for concerted multi-agency action. The agencies have scored a number of notable successes against smuggling gangs and other organised criminals over the past year, including the largest ever UK seizure (over 42 million) of smuggled cigarettes at Warrenpoint in November 2001. In February 2002 the police broke up a heroin distribution network and charged 15 people with serious drug offences.