We must all work together to tackle organised crime - Ford

6.02.00pm GMT Wed 23rd Jun 2010

Justice Minister David Ford

Justice Minister David Ford has today revealed that 25 victims of human trafficking were rescued in Northern Ireland last year.

The minister will today publish the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) Annual Report and Threat Assessment.

The key findings of the report include the recovery of £4.2 million of criminal assets; the seizure of £9 million of illegal drugs; £1.5 million of counterfeit goods, over one million litres of illicit fuel and the rescue of 25 human trafficking victims.

He said: "Organised criminals will use every opportunity, will go to any length, to make money off the backs of this community. They are determined, violent and ruthless.

"The report by the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) underlines what criminals are capable of. They are prepared to endanger life and steal property, to smuggle fuel and traffick people, to use blackmail, kidnap and weapons to further their greed.

"The criminals are smart but I'm determined that our responses will be smarter and I want to pay tribute to the local law enforcement agencies who have worked together to disrupt and frustrate criminals gangs."

Although the OCTF has reported on human trafficking before, the recovery of so many victims underlines the extent of this criminal activity.

He said: "Human trafficking is nothing less than modern day slavery.

"By its very nature it is difficult to detect but the rescue of 25 victims of human trafficking this year shows that the exploitation of human beings is happening in our streets, towns and cities

"Our law enforcement agencies are determined to tackle this form of criminality head on to reduce the suffering endured by those who may fall victim to this terrible crime."

An assets recovery target of £7.8m was set for 2009-10 and David Ford praised agencies for recovering £4.2m worth of assets despite the current downturn in the property market.

He said: "The Task Force set an ambitious target of £7.8 million for assets recovery and they worked tirelessly to achieve it. Given the current economic climate and the slump in property prices, I think that recovering £4.2million in this challenging environment is a credible achievement."

David Ford also reported on how money allocated to the Community Fund for Northern Ireland was spent last year.

He said: "I welcome the fact that such a wide variety of projects in all areas of Northern Ireland benefited from this scheme. It is hugely important that money earned though organised criminal activity is returned to the communities which have been exploited by organised criminal gangs."