Police have revealed that they seized a sports bag filled with almost £1million last year in East London, found in the passenger compartment of a London taxi.
In the last 12 months, Scotland Yard has seized over £73million in cash and other assets, including a Ferrari and Class A drugs. This is the largest amount seized in almost 15 years.
Police seize assets through The Proceeds of Crime Act (2002) which gives them the right to identify and remove assets that have come as a result of criminal activity. The act allows for the investigation of a suspect’s financial affairs, making it easier for courts to then make the criminal’s pay back what they’ve stolen.
During Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe’s time at the Met, they have seized over £317million through The Proceeds of Crime Act.