‘UDA man’ has house seized

A SUSPECTED member of the UDA has had his house confiscated by the National Crime Agency.

It obtained a recovery order for the property in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, following a Paramilitary Crime Taskforce probe.

The NCA alleged the house was “acquired using the proceeds of mortgage fraud, tax evasion and money laundering, before being placed into his wife’s name”.

Both defendants decided not to contest the case at the High Court. The NCA’S Billy Beattie said: “Civil recovery and tax plays an integral role in the work of the PCTF and these powers are a strong tool in preventing those engaged in criminal activity from benefiting financially or materially from it.”

Det Supt Bobby Singleton added: “As the seizure demonstrates we will use any and all lawful means at our disposal to bring paramilitaries to justice.

“Whilst this latest seizure is significant we have a great deal more to do in conjunction with the wider Tackling Paramilitarism Programme to rid our communities of the coercive control of paramilitaries.

“I have been encouraged in recent weeks by the increase in persons coming forward to police with information on paramilitary activity. It takes courage but it can make a huge difference.

“I would appeal to anyone with any information on paramilitaries and in particular their criminality and assets to speak to police in person or on 101.”