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24/01/2020
NCA Secures Co Antrim Homes
An alleged loyalist paramilitary member, his partner and associates have agreed to pay £120,000 after accusations they had purchased homes with criminal assets.
It comes after the National Crime Agency alleged that a number of properties in the Carrickfergus area were bought using the proceeds of illegal money lending, mortgage fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.
Financial and tax investigators working as part of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) believe the criminality is linked to the south east Antrim UDA.
A civil recovery order was granted by Belfast High Court on Wednesday 15 January.
The defendants, including a suspected member of the paramilitary group, decided not to contest the case and agreed to pay a cash figure to settle.
They will now have six months to sell the properties and hand over the money.
NCA Branch Commander David Cunningham said: "The order we have obtained following our investigation is for a sizeable sum, and it demonstrates the NCA's commitment to pursue assets obtained through unlawful activity, and denying criminals the proceeds of their crimes.
"As part of the PCTF we will continue to use the tools provided under the Proceeds of Crime Act to prevent those involved with paramilitary organisations from making financial gain from their activities."
The PCTF was established to tackle criminality linked to paramilitary activity as part of the Executive's action plan on Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality, and Organised Crime. The joint operation includes the PSNI, HM Revenue & Customs and the National Crime Agency.
(JG/CM)
It comes after the National Crime Agency alleged that a number of properties in the Carrickfergus area were bought using the proceeds of illegal money lending, mortgage fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.
Financial and tax investigators working as part of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) believe the criminality is linked to the south east Antrim UDA.
A civil recovery order was granted by Belfast High Court on Wednesday 15 January.
The defendants, including a suspected member of the paramilitary group, decided not to contest the case and agreed to pay a cash figure to settle.
They will now have six months to sell the properties and hand over the money.
NCA Branch Commander David Cunningham said: "The order we have obtained following our investigation is for a sizeable sum, and it demonstrates the NCA's commitment to pursue assets obtained through unlawful activity, and denying criminals the proceeds of their crimes.
"As part of the PCTF we will continue to use the tools provided under the Proceeds of Crime Act to prevent those involved with paramilitary organisations from making financial gain from their activities."
The PCTF was established to tackle criminality linked to paramilitary activity as part of the Executive's action plan on Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality, and Organised Crime. The joint operation includes the PSNI, HM Revenue & Customs and the National Crime Agency.
(JG/CM)
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