Court seizes terror chief's £1m profits haul
More than £1m (€1.5m) profit from drug dealing and terrorism seized from a murdered loyalist paramilitary godfather is to be used to tackle crime following a landmark ruling in Belfast High Court today.
The court granted the Assets Recovery Agency the first civil recovery order in the UK to exceed the million pound mark.
Under the order, assets of between £1.2m (€1.8m) and £1.25m (€1.83m) are to be forfeited by the estate of Jim Johnston, a leading member of the Red Hand Commando who was shot dead in the driveway of his home at Crawfordsburn, Co Down in May 2003.
The killing was part of a bitter feud between rival factions within loyalism.
The seizure grabs Johnston‘s former luxury home in Crawfordsburn together with seven further properties in Northern Ireland, a holiday home in Co Sligo, commercial premises in Belfast and a significant investment portfolio.
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said the Assets Recovery Agency was making an important contribution to getting to grips with and tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland.
He said the ruling sent out the clear message “that crime does not pay and that there is no hiding place for ill-gotten gains”.
He said the British government recognised the significant role the Agency had in reducing crime and delivering justice by recovering the proceeds of crime and disrupting criminal groups.
“This action demonstrates in a very tangible way how the Agency is getting to grips with the problem and, in its first year of operation, the local branch has taken over £3m (€4.4m) out of the hands of organised criminals.
UK Home Secretary David Blunkett welcomed the judgment. He said it meant measures passed into legislation would “at last stop criminals from benefiting from their crimes”.
He said last year a record £54.5m (€80m) had been seized – £7.5m (€11m) up on the previous year.
Describing today’s court decision as “a landmark ruling”, he said it was another success as the Government forged ahead in meeting this year’s target of seizing £60m (€88m).
Agency assistant director Alan McQuillan said the court ruling was an important landmark for the Agency and its partners in the fight against organised crime.
He said the Police Service of Northern Ireland had referred the case to the Agency and worked closely with it in providing the information needed to convince the High Court that the assets should be forfeited.
“This result serves clear notice on criminals that the extensive powers under The Proceeds of Crime Act are effective in taking the profit out of crime.”
Mr McQuillan added: “The outcome of this case is a very visible reminder to everyone in the community that there is no hiding place for ill-gotten gains.”
The High Court appointed a trustee to take possession of the recovered property and liquidate it.
The proceeds will be recycled into crime fighting initiatives, said Mr McQuillan.
Mr Johnston‘s widow and partner will each retain a small house from the estate - representing a net transfer to them of approximately £90,000 (€132,000).
