The assets of a Belfast publican, his partner and her daughter were today seized by the Assets Recovery Agency who alleged they were involved in a major international cigarette smuggling and distribution operation.
A bar, newsagent's, home and money with a minimum value of £350,000 sterling were put in the hands of an interim receiver.
The ARA named its targets as Hugh Newell Ludlow, his partner Susan Janet Anderson, both of Montrose Street, Belfast and Ms Anderson's daughter Shelley Susanne Anderson of Millview Court, Belfast.
The agency's deputy director, Alan McQuillan, said it was one of the most significant cigarette smuggling cases it had undertaken.
An Interim Receiving Order was granted by the Belfast High Court after the ARA informed the court it believed all three had derived income from a range of unlawful activities including the smuggling, distribution and sale of commercial quantities of cigarettes and tobacco.
The ARA also stated in court its belief that Mr Ludlow had "used several businesses as outlets to sell and distribute cigarettes and tobacco which he had smuggled, or caused to be smuggled into the UK."
It alleged he had "subsequently laundered the proceeds of this criminal activity through a range of bank accounts and betting accounts".
Mr Ludlow is the proprietor of the Belvoir Bar on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. His partner is believed by the agency to have previously operated a news agency business on the Holywood Road in east Belfast while her daughter is the proprietor of Shelly's newsagents on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast.
The ARA alleged to the court the news agency businesses were used to sell the smuggled tobacco products.
The case was taken by the ARA after it was referred by HM Revenue and Customs [HMRC].
The agency informed the court that between November 2000 and November 2004 it was believed Mr Ludlow had smuggled, or caused to be smuggled, a total of 264,320 cigarettes and 19.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco which were seized at various UK airports by HMRC.
The ARA also told the court that between July 2004 and April 2006 Mr Ludlow had transferred a total of £357,827 to a number of accounts held with betting exchange companies.
The agency said it believed the money was the proceeds of the sale of smuggled cigarettes and tobacco which Mr Ludlow had laundered through his various betting accounts.
The receiver will investigate all the assets and how they were obtained and report back to the High Court later.
Mr McQuillan said: "This is one of the most significant cigarette and tobacco smuggling cases undertaken by the agency in Northern Ireland to date.
"We have alleged that Mr Ludlow has been heavily involved with others in cigarette smuggling, their sale and the subsequent laundering of profits.