The Director of Public Prosecutions v Natalia Podtontsenko

Amount Forfeited

€7,050.00

Court Date

21 November 2012

Venue

Ennis Circuit Court

Judge

Gerard Keys

Summary:

On 21 November 2012 Ennis Circuit Court ordered the forfeiture to the Exchequer of cash amounting to €7,050 pursuant to Section 39, Criminal Justice Act 1994, as amended by Section 21, Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005, on the grounds that it was proven on the balance of probabilities to represent the proceeds of crime, or was intended for use in criminal conduct. On 9 June 2010 Revenue Enforcement Officers at Shannon Airport seized and detained the cash from Natalia Podtontsenko, as she was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom.

When questioned, Ms. Podtontsenko stated she was carrying approximately €7,050, which was concealed in her hand luggage.

Following an investigation by Revenue’s Investigations and Prosecutions Division a file on the matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions who ordered the forfeiture proceedings.

It had been claimed by Natalia Podtontsenko that she was travelling to London Stanstead, United Kingdom and that the money was hers. She gave conflicting explanations as to the intended use of the money.

Natalia Podtontsenko was not represented at any stage of the Court Applications.