Work begins to examine items seized in Cork raids

The scene of the Garda/CAB raid on a house at White’s Cross outside Cork City yesterday. Picture: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Mobile phones will be analysed, with text messages and phone traffic examined to help investigators in tracing the assets of the gang. Computers and other electronic storage equipment will also be forensically examined.
Today's raids on seven homes, three professional premises linked to solicitors and accountants, and a plot of land is the first phase of efforts by the CAB to seize any assets which are proven to be the proceeds of crime.
Ten vehicles and four Rolex watches, and €31,500 in cash were also seized in today's operation.

The gang at the centre of the proceedings are being targeted under Operation Thor, set up to tackle organised crime.
They are suspected of pressurising elderly people to carry out home improvements at high costs. The gang is also being investigated in relation to extortion, burglaries, drugs offences and fraud.
Gardaí said one of the houses was searched under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, while another was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84.