Courts / Dublin / Report

Cash seized from drug dealer is deemed proceeds of crime

Date
2019-01-17

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The High Court ruled that €14,850 seized from Paul Morgan, an English national, was proceeds of crime. Morgan was arrested after a high‑speed car chase in Finglas, Dublin, where Gardai observed suspicious driving. Following the pursuit, Morgan was searched and found to have just over €13,000 in a bag in his jacket and about €800 in his sock. He denied ownership, claiming the money was not his problem. The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) argued that Morgan, aged in his late 30s, had no legitimate source of income and had previous convictions, including a 12‑year sentence in 2007 for transporting €3 million of heroin into Ireland. CAB had secured freezing orders and sought to have the cash deemed proceeds of crime. Morgan was served with the application at several addresses in Liverpool but did not contest it or attend court. The judge confirmed the cash as proceeds of crime after CAB's notification efforts.