Assets seized on alleged fuel smugglers

Horses and a petrol station lease have been seized in a new crackdown on alleged fuel smugglers in the North, it was revealed today.

The Assets Recovery Agency also took control of a sports shop, homes and a fleet of cars as part of the move against three people, including a husband and wife.

Property worth £750,000 (€1.1m) belonging to Patrick Carr and Samuel and Joanne McKee, all from Rathfriland, Co Down, was frozen in the legal action.

ARA officials received permission at the High Court in Belfast after alleging their portfolios were amassed from fuel smuggling, tax and excise duty evasion, money laundering and benefit fraud.