Crime Cash Snatched: Kent and Essex Hit Organised Crime Hard
Specialist financial sleuths from Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have blitzed organised criminals by using the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to seize their ill-gotten gains. From drug dealers to fraudsters and thieves, these experts made sure crooks couldn’t enjoy a penny of their dirty money.
193 Wins and Over £20 Million Seized in Five Years
In the past 12 months alone, these financial investigators scored 193 successful outcomes through confiscation and forfeiture orders. Confiscation orders force criminals to cough up crime profits within three months, while forfeiture orders strip away cash and assets linked to offending.
In 2021, poachers lost a staggering £4.5 million via confiscation and over £3.3 million through forfeiture. Over five years, the total haul exceeds £20 million.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Harper said: “Depriving criminals of £8 million in one year shows the outstanding skill of our Financial Investigation Unit. They are hitting organised crime hard, year after year.”
“It’s wrong for criminals to serve time and still enjoy their illegal wealth. POCA stops that dead in its tracks.”
“Even when we can’t prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt for a crime, the courts agree to seize money or property that’s clearly gained unlawfully.”
“Our fight against harm-doers never stops. We’ll keep using every tool to take down criminals and protect our communities.”
Multi-Million Pound Fraudster Outed
The biggest bounty of 2021 was a whopping £3.49 million confiscated from a former Canterbury man caught in a complex VAT fraud. Using at least 12 fake identities and sham firms, he faked VAT repayment claims from HMRC. Jailed for over five years in 2018, his fortune was finally seized after a six-day legal battle.
More Big Busts and Cash Grabbed
- April 2021: West Yorkshire money launderer forfeited £856,445 plus a £90,150 confiscation. The cash was found in a car stopped at the Channel Tunnel. He’s two years into a six-year sentence.
- November 2021: £745,087 seized in a drug raid on a Kensington flat. Two men jailed for over seven years between them for laundering and drug supply in Kent.
- April 2021: £301,270 forfeited from a car stopped on the M20 near Ashford. Investigation ongoing.
- Chatham man linked to county lines forfeited £199,630 cash. Though not charged with drug dealing, he’s suspected to have fled to Albania.
- June 2021: Holborn man lost £180,670 confiscated after failing to explain money found at Channel Tunnel. No criminal charges brought.
- November 2021: Broadstairs cocaine supplier ordered to surrender £86,648 alongside a 6 years 9 months jail term.
- September 2021: Basildon gang member involved in ATM thefts had £45,655 confiscated. He is currently serving 2 years of a 5 years 9 months sentence.
These victories show POCA is a powerful weapon against crime bosses. The fight to strip criminals of their profits is relentless, sending a strong warning: crime doesn’t pay.
