€2m worth of vehicles seized in Tipp & Clare as part of UK investigation

Some of the vehicle seized during Operation Bagana. Photo © An Garda Siochana / Facebook

Over €2m worth of vehicles have been seized in Tipperary and Clare as part of a UK investigation into cyber fraud and money laundering.

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) are working with West Midlands Police in the UK in the operation in both counties.

The CAB investigation is focused on the assets of an international organised crime group who are suspected of laundering the proceeds of mandate fraud committed in the UK via a used car outlet in County Tipperary.

Mandate fraud involves changing account details for supplier or customer accounts to gain control and benefit from payments that way.

Gardaí say searches were conducted at two residential premises and one business premises in County Clare, and two residential and one business premises in County Tipperary.

The Gardaí have issued an update this evening which outlines the full list of seized items as part of Operation Bagana:

– 85 cars seized
– 2 flatbed trucks seized
– 1 car transporter seized
– Approximate value of all vehicles seized €2,000,000
– Cash in the amount of €21,000
– A total of €209,000 has been restrained in financial accounts linked to the organised crime group.