Loyalists’ hidden wealth targeted

SECRET bank accounts of loyalists, who pay their men in drugs and prostitutes, are to be probed in a major British government offensive against paramilitaries, it was revealed last night.

The new Assets Recovery Agency chief for Northern Ireland, Alan McQuillan, vowed to travel the world in a bid to seize the hidden wealth of terrorists and other crime families.

The first cases are expected to come before the courts by the autumn.

With Ulster Defence Association units amassing huge profits from narcotics, Mr McQuillan's 15-strong team is planning a crackdown to put them out of business. The former deputy chief constable said: "People in the UDA have paid their people with women and drugs. But if we can make a real dent in the funds of these organisations we reduce their ability to keep staff working for them and to generate money. We could ultimately force a change in the organisation, at least a downsizing and, hopefully, more."

He refused to name individuals, but it is believed the new agency will target jailed UDA commander Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair's rogue C Company in west Belfast.

The paramilitaries' luxury lifestyles, which go far beyond legitimate means, have angered many.

Several brothels run by associates of Adair, who was sent back to prison for his part in a vicious internal feud, have been shut down by police this year.

Security sources also disclosed that C Company leaders have ensured rank and file activists' loyalty by staging drug-fuelled orgies in specially hired pubs.

"They take over a bar, get 15 or 20 women in and throw a kilo of cocaine down on the table," one said.

Up to 80 crime organisations are thought to be operating in Northern Ireland, with half of them linked to paramilitaries. Mr McQuillan will also be targeting smugglers who regularly ship in millions of pounds' worth of

illegal fuel, tobacco and alcohol and others involved in major counterfeiting, racketeering and extortion operations.

Building industry cheats and other so-called white collar criminals are to be investigated as well.

He was appointed to head up the fight after stepping down as No 2 to Chief Constable Hugh Orde in Belfast.

He starts work on Monday and will report to the national director, Jane Earl, who is overseeing the agency's target of seizing £60 million in its first year. His team drawn from police, financial investigators, lawyers and customs officials will work out of an undisclosed headquarters.

Once new laws come into effect on February 24 they will have powers to trawl through suspects' bank accounts and tax returns.