01/03/2006
Portadown couple have assets frozen by High Court
A couple from Portadown have today had assets worth more than £3.5 million frozen by Belfast's High Court.
The Assets Recovery Agency alleges that Mark and Beverley McKinney, of Woodlands Manor, are involved in drug, fuel and cigarette smuggling, and money laundering.
They also alleged that Mr McKinney was involved with loyalist paramilitaries.
The couple have also had the assets of their company, MMK International Transport Ltd, frozen, as it is understood that it may have been used for smuggling purposes.
The ASA today seized assets including the couples Portadown home, the contents of more than 30 bank accounts, a helicopter and commercial property. Around 70 vehicles were also seized, including articulated lorries, a Bentley Continental, a Jaguar X-Type and a Range Rover.
Under the same order, Anthony James McNeill of Selshion Parade in Portadown also had assets worth around £60,000 frozen, including a house.
The agency alleges that all three were engaged in laundering money worth over £650,000.
ARA Assistant Director, Alan McQuillan, said that police had made the agency aware of the case.
He said: "While that company has some legitimate business, it was part of ARA's case to the High Court that that company was also used as a vehicle for smuggling drugs, tobacco, and oil into Northern Ireland, and that the McKinneys and Mr McNeill were involved in laundering the proceeds of crime."
(EF/SP)
The Assets Recovery Agency alleges that Mark and Beverley McKinney, of Woodlands Manor, are involved in drug, fuel and cigarette smuggling, and money laundering.
They also alleged that Mr McKinney was involved with loyalist paramilitaries.
The couple have also had the assets of their company, MMK International Transport Ltd, frozen, as it is understood that it may have been used for smuggling purposes.
The ASA today seized assets including the couples Portadown home, the contents of more than 30 bank accounts, a helicopter and commercial property. Around 70 vehicles were also seized, including articulated lorries, a Bentley Continental, a Jaguar X-Type and a Range Rover.
Under the same order, Anthony James McNeill of Selshion Parade in Portadown also had assets worth around £60,000 frozen, including a house.
The agency alleges that all three were engaged in laundering money worth over £650,000.
ARA Assistant Director, Alan McQuillan, said that police had made the agency aware of the case.
He said: "While that company has some legitimate business, it was part of ARA's case to the High Court that that company was also used as a vehicle for smuggling drugs, tobacco, and oil into Northern Ireland, and that the McKinneys and Mr McNeill were involved in laundering the proceeds of crime."
(EF/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.