NI homes worth £2m seized by NCA

Freezing order imposed on houses in counties Down and Antrim

NCA seize
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 9th May 2019
Last updated 9th May 2019

Nine homes in counties Down and Antrim have been 'frozen' by National Crime Agency officers investigating paramilitary crime.

Worth a combined value of £2m the properties were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

A Freezing Order prevents the owner from selling up or disposing of their assets.

The National Crime Agency, Police Service of Northern Ireland and HM Revenue & Customs established the PCTF to tackle criminality linked to paramilitarism as part of the Executive's action plan on Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality, and Organised Crime.

NCA Branch Commander Billy Beattie said:

“Civil recovery investigations continue to play an integral role in the work of the PCTF. These powers are a vital tool and this should act as a strong deterrent to those in our communities engaged in criminal activity. We are determined to pursue not just people who are engaged in criminality, but also their money and assets.