Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jan 2005
Source: Irish Examiner (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 2005
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/144
Author: Cormac O'Keeffe

CRIMINAL GANGS OFTEN UNITE IN THEIR ACTIVITIES

ORGANISED criminals in Ireland know each other and often co-operate in
conducting criminal activities, according to a major new report.

This makes Ireland virtually unique in Europe and partly explains why
foreign nationals are not yet significant players in organised crime
here.

But the 2004 European Union Organised Crime Report warns that certain
ethnic organised crime (OC) groups, such as the Chinese, are becoming
increasingly active throughout the EU.

Ireland, which has a significant Chinese community, has already seen
the involvement of Chinese gangs in areas such as people smuggling,
extortion, prostitution and the production of synthetic drugs.

The report, published by the EU police agency, Europol, said the
involvement of non-Irish criminals in Ireland was mainly outside of
the country, as contacts of Irish criminals living abroad.

Contrary to the popular image of inter-gang rivalry, reflected by the
violent feuds in Limerick and north-west Dublin, the dossier reported
a high level of co-operation among Irish gangs.

"It seems that all of those involved in OC in Ireland are known to
each other and in many instances have co-operated in their efforts.
"This is a somewhat unique situation in the European context and may
partly explain why there is so little involvement of other
nationalities in Ireland," the report said.

Europol said drug trafficking was the most significant form of
criminality, with cocaine, heroin and cannabis the most commonly
smuggled drugs.

"Cannabis and cocaine are sourced in Spain and in many instances Irish
nationals resident there arrange for the purchase of the drugs. Heroin
is smuggled mainly from the UK again using Irish nationals resident in
the UK."

Ecstasy continued to be sourced mainly in Holland and, as with the
other drugs, Irish nationals were involved.

The report said the smuggling of cigarettes through Ireland for the
British market was an important activity for Irish gangs. This
includes paramilitary groups like the IRA and the Real IRA.

Europol said Chinese OC groups were expanding in the EU and becoming
more involved in the smuggling of precursor chemicals and the
production of synthetic drugs.

Last May, gardam in Dublin arrested four Chinese people following the
seizure of chemicals which had the potential to make 50 million
ecstasy tablets.

"The threat posed by these Chinese OC groups is significant and
increasing." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake