£3m worth of criminal assets auctioned off in Belfast

Almost £3m (€3.9m) worth of properties seized from criminals in the North were auctioned off in Belfast last night.

A total of 18 apartments and terraced homes confiscated from drug dealers and armed robbers were among the items that went under the hammer.

The properties are located in Armagh, Down and Antrim.

The Assets Recovery Agency says the money raised will be ploughed back into the fight against crime.