Assets crackdown on NI crime lords
The British Assets Recovery Agency has doubled its investigative staff as part of a developing offensive against crime bosses in Northern Ireland, it was revealed tonight.
The extra staff has been recruited in a new move to identify and penalise twice as many racketeers, extortionists and drug dealers making millions in the underworld.
The number of financial investigators and lawyers working for agency chief Alan McQuillan has gone from 25 to 50.
Mr McQuillan said: “Last year the Agency began civil recovery and tax action in relation to 12 cases against a target of 10.
“Next year we intend to use that experience and our success as a platform to support a major expansion of casework in Northern Ireland.
“In terms of new investigations, we have set a challenging target of disrupting 25 criminal enterprises through civil recovery and taxation in the current financial year. We are also aiming to freeze another £6m (€9m) of assets.
“In finalising existing cases we have set targets of obtaining Recovery Orders to the value of £7m (€10.5m.”
Mr McQuillan announced the strengthened effort against Mafia-style gangs operating in Northern Ireland after talks with Security Minister Shaun Woodward.
Since the Agency began operating in February 2003 it has taken control of of 89 properties in Northern Ireland.
Luxury homes, farms and holiday villas belonging to suspected criminals have all been seized by Mr McQuillan‘s team.
Another 21 top of the range cars, motor bikes, boats and earth removal equipment has also been put under restraint.
More than 100 bank accounts, insurance policies and other financial products have been disrupted.
Cash, livestock and even exotic pets have been taken as well.
One of its biggest successes came with the seizure of £1.5m (€2.2m) worth of property and cash belonging to murdered loyalist paramilitary drugs baron Jim Johnston.
Johnston, a top member of the Red Hand Commando, was murdered at his home in Crawfordsburn, Co Down in May 2003.
Since then his homes have been auctioned off, with the money raised being ploughed back into the war on crime.
The strengthening of the Northern Ireland operation is contained in the UK-wide Agency‘s annual report and business plan for the coming year.
Mr McQuillan pledged to continue working alongside the multi-body Organised Crime Task Force and the Republic‘s Criminal Assets Bureau.
“Changes in legislation will now make it even easier for the two Agencies to work on full joint investigations and we will be using every opportunity to target those individuals or organisations that exploit the border to conceal criminal assets,” he said.
