The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has welcomed moves to ensure that Northern Ireland finally catches up with the rest of the United Kingdom, following a formal request that provisions to target organised crime gangs be extended to Northern Ireland.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“I welcome today’s confirmation by the Justice Minister that she is writing to the Home Secretary to formally ask her to commence the relevant provisions of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (‘the CFA 2017’) for Northern Ireland, and the relevant provisions of the Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Act 2019 (‘the COPO Act 2019’).
“It is imperative that these measures come into effect in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency to assist the police and other law enforcement agencies - including the NCA - to make life as uncomfortable as possible for those who create so much misery for society and whose lifestyles are funded by criminality. Seeing them stripped of their assets will send an important message to both organised criminals and the wider community that this situation cannot and will not be tolerated.
“It is essential that law enforcement agencies have the necessary powers and tools available to them to tackle criminality in all its forms, and to go after ill-gotten gains of individuals within such groups.
“The Criminal Finances Act 2017 includes new unexplained wealth orders, account freezing and forfeiture provisions and listed assets forfeiture provisions, and is widely acknowledged to be feared by paramilitary groups and drug gangs whose leaders have acquired assets that they cannot account for via lawful means.
“The COPO Act 2019 enables UK law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities to obtain electronic data directly from overseas communication service providers for the purposes of criminal investigations and prosecutions.
“The Criminal Finances Bill received Royal Assent in April 2017; the COPO Act 2019 Royal Assent on 28 February 2019, and both have fully commenced in England, Wales and Scotland, so Northern Ireland is finally catching up with the rest of the United Kingdom.”