The Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) provides a multi-agency partnership approach, bringing together police, customs and other law enforcement agencies, along with government departments, the Policing Board and the local business community, to combat organised crime in Northern Ireland.
The North Down MLA said: “I welcome the report published by the Department of Justice today (7 August), which outlines the collective success of the OCTF partners in tackling organised crime in our communities.
“I would like to commend all the agencies involved in the OCTF for their dedicated efforts in tackling and preventing organised crime. Their hard work continues to keep communities across Northern Ireland safe.
“We must continue to be robust in our response to organised crime groups that exploit and control individuals and communities, showing no concern for the harm they inflict. We need to demonstrate that such behaviour will not be tolerated and that failing to comply with the law will lead to severe consequences.
“Justice Minister Naomi Long is dedicated to making Northern Ireland a safer place with less crime and fewer victims, and the figures in this report demonstrate her commitment to this.”