Illegal drugs hidden in NI consignment of PPE - Justice Minister Naomi Long vows to take fight to organised crime gangs

The Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) Annual report and Threat Assessment has revealed how criminal gangs are using the pandemic to ruthlessly exploit communities for personal gain.

Launching the report Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “The fact that criminals would stoop so low as to exploit the circumstances created by a pandemic shows they care about nothing other than lining their own pockets.

“PPE is an essential part of keeping people safe from the virus so to use shipments of it to conceal drugs is beyond reprehensible.”

She added: “But as this latest report shows organised crime gangs will exploit vulnerabilities wherever they find them.”

The report also revealed that during 2019/2020 OCTF operations have:

* recovered approximately £2.2 million under Confiscation Orders;

* helped rescue 111 potential victims of modern slavery;

* recorded 8,177 drug seizure incidents

* prevented 5.7 million cigarettes, 65,000 litres of alcohol and over 2,000 items of counterfeit goods from entering Northern Ireland.

The report also demonstrated how cyber criminals are taking advantage of the pandemic to scam vulnerable people.

It stated: “The global Covid-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated the threat posed by cyber criminals and how rapidly they can adapt, using social engineering in order to further their criminality.

“A repositioning was noted with numerous Covid-19 themed online scams rapidly deployed, from selling non-existent PPE equipment by way of newly developed websites, Covid-19 titled phishing e-mails designed to install malware or steal personal information and attempts to exploit Government

economic support schemes.

“Recent cyber-attacks under investigation at the PSNI have highlighted both the technical ability and the ruthless nature of cyber criminals.

“During the financial year 2019/20, cyber related crime impacted Northern Ireland businesses in a number of ways ranging from individual losses exceeding £100,000, the compromise of business email accounts and the encryption of company networks.

The report also warned that the Covid-19 crisis could lead to a surge of illegal drug addiction in NI.

It said: “Long-term and in light of the Covid-19 crisis there is the potential for higher numbers of persons becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, as those who were typically social users may have increased their intake amount and frequency during isolation, potentially crossing the line to addiction.

“This will heap further pressure on the already stretched health and support services as well as impacting the local drug market and related criminality such as violent crime offences.”

Mrs Long vowed that new powers would be introduced to tackle the growing threat of organised crime.

“Next year, new legislation will be introduced to enhance powers for law enforcement agencies here, bringing Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.

“Unexplained Wealth Orders, account freezing and forfeiture powers, and the ability to seize criminal assets are just three of the additional measures that will be available to strengthen collective efforts to tackle organised crime. In addition work will continue on proposals for new organised crime offences.

“While there are elements of EU Exit that remain unclear, it is essential that we understand the evolving risks and threats of serious and organised crime.”

Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray, PSNI, said : “Organised Crime Gangs exploit people and often focus on the most vulnerable people.

“Their criminality knows no bounds as has been witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic when they have continued to make money regardless of the pressures on the lives of others.”