Properties worth £2m frozen following PCTF investigation

9 May 2019 01:50 PM

NCA officers obtain orders on nine properties in Northern Ireland.

Officers from the National Crime Agency working as part of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) have obtained a Property Freezing Order over nine residential properties in County Down and County Antrim under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The properties have a combined estimated value of around £2 million.

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 yesterday 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.”