The English High Court has ordered an Ulsterwoman with suspected links to serious organised crime to explain how she financed the purchase of six properties worth around £3.2 million in total.

The UK's National Crime Agency believes that the woman is associated with criminals involved in paramilitary activity and cigarette smuggling.

Details of the Unexplained Wealth Order, which was obtained at the High Court last Wednesday, can be revealed now that the order has been served.

The order is part of the NCA investigation into properties owned by the woman, who now lives in London. Four of the properties are located in the capital and two are in Northern Ireland.

The court has also granted Interim Freezing Orders, stopping the properties from being sold while the investigation continues.

This is the fourth case in which the agency, which some have called "the arms and legs of MI5," has obtained a UWO.