GARDAÍ HAVE SEIZED two cars, watches and designer bags as part of an investigation into a Dublin-based charity.
Detectives from the money laundering investigation unit at the garda’s National Economic Crime Bureau carried out a series of searches in the Dublin, eastern and southern regions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Two BMW X5 cars with a combined estimated value of €250,000 were seized during the searches.
Gardaí also recovered Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches, jewellery and other high-value items with an estimated combined value of €40,000.
The operation formed part of an ongoing investigation being conducted with the Office of the Charities Regulator.
In a statements, the Regulator confirmed that the organisation “is a charity and the Charities Regulator is engaging with its trustees”.
“As there is an active Garda investigation, the Charities Regulator will not be commenting further,” a Regulator spokesperson added.
The National Economic Crime Bureau investigates serious and complex financial crime, including money laundering.
No details have been released about the charity under investigation or the locations searched.
“Investigations are ongoing,” a garda spokesperson said.