News In Focus
29 January 2008
New laws will tackle the "Mr Bigs" of crime
New legislation to be introduced by the Scottish Government will target Scotland's crime lords.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is proposing new offences of directing or being involved in organised crime.
A consultation on the details of the proposals is to seek the views of law enforcement organisations and other stakeholders involved in the fight against organised crime.
The legislation's main objective would be to make it easier to convict those organised criminals who direct criminal operations.
The proposals were endorsed yesterday at the second meeting of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce. The Scottish Government is now to develop proposals to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament at the earliest opportunity.
Models to follow
The aim of the new offences would be to catch people either directing or being involved in organised crime and for the offence to be covered by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
The government will consider similar offences already in place in Canada and the Republic of Ireland when developing its proposals.
Mr MacAskill said: "Organised crime is a global issue and already Canada and Ireland are using the law to target the godfathers of serious organised crime. We want to learn from their experiences to help us tackle this menace to our society.
"These new offences will make it easier to convict the so called 'untouchables'. We will pursue these parasites with vigour and will be uncompromising in our pursuit of those who peddle drugs and indulge in other criminal activities."