The police commander heading a new offensive against organised crime in Northern Ireland tonight warned paramilitary gangsters: "The easy life is over."
Mr Alan McQuillan, chief constable Hugh Mr Orde's No 2, has been appointed assistant director of the Assets Recovery Agency which is being established as part of the British government's war on outfits heavily involved in drugs, racketeering and extortion.
He will be scrutinising how 86 crime families operating in Northern Ireland - half of them linked to loyalist and republican organisations - make their cash.
Mr McQuillan said: "We want to deprive them of funding and break up their networks.
"Politicians and community leaders have said certain individuals are untouchable. But if they are involved in crime we will be targeting them."
Mr McQuillan will work alongside Jane Earl, the newly-appointed director in the UK.
Closely based on the Criminal Assets Bureau already operating in the Republic, ARA's 200 officers begin work across the UK and Northern Ireland early next year.
The British government hopes the agency's tough new powers will secure more convictions in the court and allow illegal assets to be seized.
Criminals can also expect to face much harsher tax demands.
Mr McQuillan, who was once in charge of policing in the Greater Belfast area, had applied for the £100,000 post of deputy chief constable.
But his decision to end 26 years service was announced as members of the Policing Board met in Belfast to draw up a shortlist for that job.
He admitted senior police officers had been frustrated by the high standards of criminal proof needed to secure convictions.
"These organisations' leaders have learnt to insulate themselves from the dirty work on the streets, but they are happy to take the profits," he added.
"This is now an opportunity to take this off them. This is a major new tool in the fight against organised crime.
"Being involved in crime-based extortion is not a passport to an easy life."
Mr McQuillan will also join the Organised Crime Task Force, a multi-agency body chaired by Northern Ireland Security Minister Ms Jane Kennedy.
She predicted the new man will make a major impact due to his massive policing experience.
"The Assets Recovery Agency will have a key role in depriving criminals of the profits of their crimes and in cutting off the financial life blood of criminal organisations.
"I am delighted that the Northern Ireland branch will be headed by a person with such a distinguished record as a police officehe Assets Recovery Agency's powers were laid down in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
PA