Justice Minister Naomi Long has released the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) Annual Report and Threat Assessment for 2024/25, commending partner agencies for sustained action against organised crime despite ongoing financial pressures on public services.

The Minister said: "This past year has again presented significant challenges for Northern Ireland, not least continuing financial pressures and demands on public services. Despite this, my commitment to making Northern Ireland a safer place, with less crime and fewer victims, remains unwavering.

"The work of disrupting Organised Crime Groups (OCGs), pursuing offenders, and bringing them to justice remains both complex and demanding. As the nature of the threat evolves, policing and law enforcement partners continue to show adaptability and innovation, embracing new technologies and responding effectively to both established and emerging threats.

"I am deeply grateful to all the agencies involved for delivering another strong year of results, and for their relentless efforts to target those who profit from harm, exploitation, and fear in our communities."

The 68-page publication sets out the evolving threat picture and operational response across key crime types, including drugs supply, counterfeit goods, offensive weapons and cybercrime. During 2024/25, OCTF partners and policing achieved: 651 potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking referred to the National Referral Mechanism (the UK framework for identifying and supporting victims); 146 PSNI arrests linked to organised crime groups; 6,951 PSNI drug seizures; 3,128 drug-related arrests; and 228 restraint orders, cash seizures, lifted assets and account freezing orders. Cocaine was the most seized Class A drug in Northern Ireland.

OCTF partners seized over £26.5 million worth of Class A and Class B drugs this year, underlining both the scale of the illicit market and the impact of coordinated enforcement.

Minister Long said: "It is assessed that 75% of organised crime groups are involved in the supply of drugs, so police alone seizing drugs with an estimated street value of £21m – and Border Force and National Crime Agency involved in further seizures - is a significant blow to these groups.

"The excellent work and persistence in pursuing criminals who set out to exploit, threaten and spread misery across communities should not be underestimated, but everybody's help is needed to combat organised crime.

"It remains vital that the strong collaborative work of the OCTF continues to counter these threats, as organised crime continues to harm communities.

"Alongside enforcement, public awareness and support are essential to effectively disrupt these networks and reduce their impact across Northern Ireland. By reporting suspicious or criminal activity, individuals can make a meaningful contribution to protecting their communities. By working together for fairness, justice and safety, we can all play our part in challenging organised crime at every level and building safer communities where people respect the law and each other."

The OCTF is a voluntary, multi-agency partnership established in 2000, coordinated with support from the Department of Justice. The full Annual Report and Threat Assessment 2024/25 is available on the Department's website.