GMP has been granted its largest-ever forfeiture order for gold bars – valued at £1.8m – that were seized at Manchester Airport last year.
In May 2025, officers working at the airport stopped a man found to be carrying five gold bars weighing more than 15kg in his hand luggage as he prepared to fly abroad.
This was subsequently seized utilising powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act, as officers believed the gold was part of suspected criminality.
Following a detailed and thorough investigation by officers in the Economic and Cyber Crime Unit, working in partnership with GMP’s Legal Services department, further work was carried out and resulted in the case being heard today at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
The court granted a forfeiture order in favour of GMP, totalling £1.81m for the value of the gold bars.
The outcome represents the highest-value listed assets forfeiture order ever awarded to GMP.
The GMP-conducted civil recovery investigation has now concluded.
As a result, 50% of the recovered value will now be directed into their Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS).
Money seized and distributed via ARIS is being invested into communities across Greater Manchester. This includes charities, community groups and more.
