Customs seizes suspect cash at London station

Customs officers have seized £23,900 suspect cash at Euston station on

Tuesday, following its detection by a 'currency' dog.

The money was seized using Customs powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, from a male passenger travelling on a train from Liverpool.

When questioned about it, he stated that he had been given approximately £15,000 by his sister, and was coming to London to buy some watches. However, it transpired that the amount was in fact £23,900, all in £20 notes.

Unable to provide documentary evidence to back up his claim, the money was detained for further investigation. An application for continued detention by Customs was granted this morning Thursday 2 October for a further six weeks.

This is the first such seizure following the successful launch of Operation Payback in London on Friday 26 September.

Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, Ian Watson said: "This is an excellent example of Payback operating in practice, and I am delighted with this first success using the detector dogs so soon after the launch.

"Customs are very aware that criminals bring cash into London from other areas of Britain. If Customs can detect this money in transit, it cannot fund further crime, whether that be drug crime, gun crime, tobacco smuggling or fraud."

Operation Payback is a new joint police and Customs attack on the proceeds of crime that fund illegal lifestyles and crime in London.

Most crime in London is motivated by money - Payback is about getting that money back, and to damage this vicious cycle.

Payback is a four-year operation and will ensure that powers under POCA 2002 are put to maximum use. The operation is the first of its kind in the UK and is expected to be rolled out nationally over the next few years.

In total, from 30 December 2002 to date, Customs and Police have seized over £36 million, using the POCA powers.

(gmcg)