Crimefighter vows to crack terrorist bank accounts
Flashy loyalist paramilitaries' cash is easier to seize than top major republicans' illegal wealth, a crimefighter has claimed.
But Assets Recovery Agency chief Alan McQuillan has vowed to identify and take control of secret terrorist bank accounts within five years.
As he doubled his investigative staff in a developing offensive against Northern Ireland’s criminal underworld, Mr McQuillan hit back at allegations he has focused on one side of the sectarian divide.
Unionist politicians have accused the Agency of targeting loyalists while letting IRA fuel smugglers amass millions of pounds unchecked.
But Mr McQuillan insisted his team, which began operating in February 2003, just needs more time to carry out exhaustive probes.
He said: “Republican cases by and large tend to be bigger, longer and harder to investigate because of the nature of the crimes and the people who are involved in them.
“I have said to people: ’Give us three to five years and assess us then’.
“We are determined to ensure there’s fairness in the system and I know that our law enforcement agency partners share that view.”
Since the UK-wide Agency was established 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, along with 21 top of the range cars, motor bikes, boats and earth removal equipment.
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 and auction 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.
Mr McQuillan claimed the lifestyle and type of rackets run by men involved with loyalist organisations such as the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force played a part in the Agency’s success against them.
“There are more of them, they are not involved in crime in the same way,” he said.
“There’s much more criminality, more personal gain and a much more ostentatious wealth on the loyalist side.
“Quite frankly that makes it easier in some ways.”
With extra staff now hired, the Agency will attempt to identify and penalise twice as many racketeers, extortionists and drug dealers making millions.
Increased financial investigators and lawyers working for Mr McQuillan has taken his staff in Belfast from 25 to 50.
“Last year the Agency began civil recovery and tax action in relation to 12 cases against a target of 10,” he added.
“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 (€8.9m) of assets.
“In finalising existing cases we have set targets of obtaining Recovery Orders to the value of £7m (€10.4m).”
