Assets Recovery chief to target 37 crime cartels

Northern Ireland's new head of the Assets Recovery Agency is set to target 37 local criminal cartels when he officially takes up his post next week.

Under the guidance of Alan McQuillan, the agency aims to target organisations such as the UDA and IRA who earn millions of pounds through racketeering.

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 will enable the Belfast-based agency to put a stop to the flash lifestyles of individuals who accumulate vast sums of money through organised crime, drug dealing and sale of counterfeit goods.

The agency, which begins its work on Monday, will investigate anyone involved in crime with assets of over £10,000, with individuals targeted on a priority basis.

Mr McQuillan, who is the former PSNI Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast, will begin to investigate cases in March with many of these likely to be brought before the courts by late autumn.

Commenting on his new role in a local morning newspaper this week, Mr McQuillan said that the agency and its new powers would be hitting the criminal bosses "where it hurts".

He added: "Taking their assets from them has two main effects. Firstly it takes a lot of money to run these organisations – people only work for them because they pay them – so we undermine that.

"Secondly, we begin to undermine these people's image in society. We remove them as role models.

"If they are seen to have their flashy cars seized, their properties seized and they are in court fighting off bankruptcy, then that undermines them in the eyes of young people who look up to them and see them with unlimited wealth."

Mr McQuillan has confirmed that the first £12 million seized each year by the new agency will be spent on community projects to reduce crime.

It is also hoped that the agency will match the success rate of its southern counterpart – the Criminal Assets Bureau – where jailed Real IRA leader Liam Campbell has assets seized and who now faces a massive tax bill.

However, there is no underestimating the Assets Recovery Agency's difficult task with the combined income of paramilitary groups in the north – the UVF, LVF, UDA, IRA and Real IRA – raking in around £18 million a year.

(MB)