News

TNT appears unperturbed by its relationship with a Northern Irish haulage firm whose owner has had assets of at least £3m seized by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

The express delivery firm confirms that it has had a 10-year relationship with MMK International, which works with its fashion logistics group on hanging-garment distribution in Belfast and Dublin.

An anonymous letter to Motor Transport, signed "concerned Irish  hauliers", questions how a company with TNT's high standards could allow itself to be associated with MMK.

A TNT spokesman declined to comment further, but confirmed that it continues to work with MMK.

SOCA was granted a consent order on 27 February, which became effective on 2 March, in Belfast High Court against Mark Niall McKinney, Beverley Suzanne McKinney and MMK International Transport of Craigavon, Co Armagh.

It has recovered assets including a helicopter, luxury villa, top-of-the-range cars and the contents of 16 bank accounts and residential and commercial property in Portadown.

In its civil recovery application, SOCA submitted that McKinney had derived the majority of his assets through money laundering, fraud, illegal trading and income tax and VAT evasion.

On 27 February, McKinney agreed to settle SOCA's civil recovery proceedings by handing over assets to a minimum value of £3m.

MMK International is co-owned  by Beverley and Mark McKinney and its directors are Beverley and Lara McKinney.

McKinney's assets were frozen in February 2006 under an interim receiving order - the receiver has been operating MMK International legitimately since his appointment, but SOCA confirms that the company has since been returned to McKinney.

The company may now also run the risk of losing its O-licence; a statement from the Department of the Environment (DOE), which regulates O-licensing in Northern Ireland, adds: "This case has been drawn to the DOE's attention and the position is currently under consideration."

A separate recovery order was also made against former subcontractor and MMK driver Tony McNeill of Selshion Parade, Portadown.

MMK International declined to comment.