The Criminal Assets Bureau was established on the 15 October 1996. The Bureau is a key part of the armoury of the State in tackling criminal activity, in particular serious and organised criminal activity.  It seeks to deny and deprive criminals of assets acquired through criminal conduct. The range of criminal conduct is varied and includes drug trafficking, theft, burglary, fraud and money laundering.

The Criminal Assets Bureau handed over almost €15m to the exchequer last year from asset seizures, auctions and proceeds of crime actions, according to its annual report.