'Seize more drug dealers' assets' - Dickson

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Aug 2003

Alliance Carrickfergus councillor Stewart Dickson has said there must be more 'up-front assets seizing' after the PSNI said a UDA/LVF gang had imported £2.5 million of cannabis seized earlier this week.

Congratulating the PSNI on their recent successful seizure in Carrickfergus, Councillor Dickson stated:

"We need to see up-front assets seizing by the Assets Recovery Agency. The public sees certain people enjoying lifestyles that are obviously way beyond their means.

"Those involved in the drugs trade must have their illegally-gained assets taken away from them. Drugs make massive profits for criminal gangs and paramilitaries, so we need to send out the message that crime doesn't pay.

"The onus can now be placed on the suspected criminal to demonstrate how they gained their big cars and houses when they have no visible means of support for their lifestyle.

"It is pretty obvious that certain people are very wealthy, but it's certainly not obvious that their money has been earned legally."