£93m seized from criminal proceeds in UK

Nationwide UK law enforcement agencies have seized over £93 million from the proceeds of criminal activity in the two years since the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) came into force.

Enacted in December 2002, the legislation has allowed law enforcement agencies to make civil seizures of cash suspected of being crime related, anywhere in the UK.

Customs National POCA co-ordinator and chair of the London 'Operation Payback' group, Ian Watson, said: "The robust use we are making of these powers is having a real impact on the criminal fraternity. In the past, criminals could brave a jail term with a smile, knowing they would be released to a world of fast cars, yachts and other trappings of their ill-gotten wealth".

He said that the Act had given officers "strong powers to take away that wealth and seriously disrupt their lavish lifestyles".

"The successes demonstrate the value of law enforcement agencies working together, to ensure that those who commit crime do not benefit from it," said Mr Watson.

Since September 2003, Customs and police forces in London have run "Operation Payback" a joint campaign that involves sharing intelligence and working together to use the Act to help take some of the potential profit out of crime.

As part of the campaign, Customs investigators and police officers have mounted joint operations, targeting known "courier routes" which have resulted in several significant cash seizures. Rail, road, and domestic flight routes were targeted, and according to Customs, this has disrupting couriers and made life difficult for criminals.

The combined operation strategy is to be expanded across the UK.

Nationally in the last two years, Customs officers have seized almost £53 million from criminals, with police forces seizing another £40 million.

UK law enforcement sources estimate that up to £1.5 billion leaves the UK annually to pay for the smuggling of contraband class A drugs alone.

(SP)