Companies in Britain and Spain which were investigated by the Assets Recovery Agency have had £320,000 in assets frozen by the High Court in Belfast.
The ARA, the Northern equivalent of the Republic's Criminal Assets Bureau, secured the orders against Albert, Jessica and Paul Baxter from Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.
The agency believes they are profiting from cigarette smuggling, the sale of counterfeit goods and the illegal importation of fireworks from China.
An interim receiver, appointed by the court, has taken control of four limited companies. Kanash Ltd, Global Christmas Ltd and Cedar Hill Trading Ltd are registered in the North. The receiver is also appointed to control a Leeds company, Global Fireworks Ltd, as well as an apartment and house in the Carrickfergus area, three luxury cars and a business in the Canary Islands.
The £320,000 figure relates to the estimated minimum value of the Northern Ireland properties and does not include properties or business interests in Spain. The agency follows a policy of naming the parties in the civil actions it brings to court. The case was referred to the agency by the PSNI working in conjunction with Customs and Excise.
The agency was also granted the first civil recovery order of its kind to take over the estate of a murdered loyalist. Jim Johnston (45) a senior Red Hand Commando, was shot dead in May 2003 during a loyalist feud.
