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by Our Foreign Desk
THE National Crime Agency (NCA) became fully operational in Northern Ireland yesterday, despite some republican objections.
The Britain-wide policing body was set up in 2013, but objections by Sinn Fein MLAs over the force’s accountability delayed it assuming its full powers in the six counties until this week.
While the NCA is not intended to be involved in anti-terrorism operations, its remit includes organised crime activities like smuggling, drug-dealing and counterfeiting, in which sectarian paramilitaries have been involved in the past.
Dubbed the “British FBI,” it replaced the Serious Organised Crime Agency founded in 2006.
Until yesterday its responsibilities in Northern Ireland were restricted to areas like customs, tax and immigration.
But under legislation passed at Westminster the covert agency took on responsibilities for fighting cross-border crime, child exploitation, people trafficking, money laundering and internet abuse.
It also has civil recovery powers and could be used to “follow the money” in cases like a massive illegal rubbish dump recently discovered near Derry.
Earlier this year, Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly expressed concern that the NCA might become the “arresting arm” of the intelligence services.
He told the Stormont Assembly: “Unfortunately, we have to deal with empirical experience that we have of what used to be called the ‘secret services’ not just in the North but in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“At the moment, MI5 has no arresting arm. The question is this: will the NCA then become that arresting arm?”
“At the moment, when the PSNI takes over any operation, it is accountable under all the accountability mechanisms. That is the safeguard.”
Sinn Fein West Belfast MLA Pat Sheehan said the agency could be seen as a “shadowy organisation” that would not command the confidence of the wider community.
NCA director general Keith Bristow said: “We have consistently said the NCA is committed to protecting the people of Northern Ireland against serious and organised criminals as we do in the rest of the UK.
“Now, with the legislative process complete in Northern Ireland, we will work with our PSNI and law enforcement colleagues and get on with doing our duty.”
