INVESTIGATORS have seized property and money from a man in the Greater Belfast area who is alleged to have links with the loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).
The National Crime Agency (NCA), working as part of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF), seized an £85,000 property in the Newtownabbey area and £28,000 held in a bank account from Steven Armstrong.
On July 19, 2022, the High Court in Belfast granted a Civil Recovery Order by consent under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 against Armstrong, 39, of Newtownabbey, Greater Belfast.
Armstrong, who is alleged to have links to the West Belfast UDA, is suspected of engaging in fraud and money laundering offences.
"This is another example of the NCA using its powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to take action against those suspected of involvement in paramilitary related crime," said NCA Operations Manager Stephen Brown.
"The message to those involved in paramilitary crime is clear — we will use every tool available to us.
"Where we can identify assets that are the proceeds of crime, we will do all we can to pursue them."
The NCA will now work with partners to realise the value of the property and recover the funds held in the bank account under the terms of the Order.
The PCTF was established by the NCA, PSNI and HMRC to tackle criminality linked to paramilitary activity.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Kelly said: "This action demonstrates the strength of the three agencies working together as part of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and their commitment to tackling the harm inflicted on communities by these individuals and groups."
