ARA will decide whether to apply for assets to be forfeited

The move came after the body, which investigates money made from criminal activities, was granted in a series of orders by the High Court.

A range of properties and other assets believed to belong to a gang were impounded while an investigation is undertaken to establish if they can be seized.

The court heard the assets were the proceeds of criminal activity, "including the robbery and distraction burglary of elderly people living in isolated homes in country areas across Northern Ireland".

We put all that material to the court and say to the court we think we have a good, arguable case here - will you appoint a receiver to investigate? Alan McQuillan Assets Recovery Agency

An interim receiving order was granted at the High Court on Tuesday after the agency searched premises in Lisburn, Dromore and Carryduff.

A quantity of documents and other evidence was seized at the premises.

The ASA said the interim receiver took possession of:

• One house in Lisburn;
• Two houses in Carryduff;
• A house in the Ormeau Road area of Belfast;
• An apartment in Newcastle, County Down;
• A house in Dromore, County Down.

The figure of �300,000 is based on the estimated equity in the properties.

If the houses were to be sold, any mortgages would have to be paid off before the profits could be seized.

Other property believed to be in the possession of certain named individuals - including a 1984 Bentley Model 8, a 1996 Mercedes and a Range Rover - is retained in the Interim Receiving Order.

The interim receiver has begun an investigation into all of the assets.

The ARA will decide whether to make an application for the assets to be forfeited, after he makes a report to the High Court.

'Suspicious circumstances'

ARA assistant director Alan McQuillan said buying property was one of the ways in which criminals "washed money".

"They invest in property, but they mortgage it," he said.

"We also try to be as conservative as we can in valuations, so �300,000 net is the amount we believe they have - the properties themselves are probably worth certainly well over �500,000 collectively."

He said the case to the High Court was made on the basis of previous convictions, arrests in suspicious circumstances and evidence of assets.

People were able to amass personal fortunes while living on benefits, he said.

"We put all that material to the court and say to the court 'we think we have a good, arguable case here - will you appoint a receiver to investigate?'"

Security Minister Ian Pearson said the move proved the Assets Recovery Agency was an effective weapon in the ongoing fight against organised criminals in Northern Ireland.

"I am particularly delighted that the assets frozen were from those who allegedly attempt to prosper by preying on some of the most vulnerable people in our community," he said.