Greater Manchester Police’s Economic Crime Unit is made up of a number of specialist teams who all target different areas of criminal finances to ensure that all their funds are removed and the unit have recovered over £5 million this tax year.
Economic Crime Unit officers have forfeited large amounts of cash and assets in recent weeks.
A total of £15,931.87 was seized during a warrant which was executed in Prestwich, Bury. Following a search of the property officers found a cannabis farm set up in the upstairs of the property with 61 cannabis plants totalling approx. £15k in street value and the electricity meter bypassed. Officers also found hidden bundles of cash.
Another forfeiture came after police were called to a storage unit in Oldham by HMRC where a safe had been found inside a container being used to store drugs. In total, officers found cannabis valued at £8,990, crack cocaine valued at £62,420 cocaine valued at £36,512 along with a dealer book and mobile phones. As part of the investigation, officers then located a safety deposit box in Manchester, where they found over £73,000 in cash in two bags, one in a JD drawstring bag and the other wrapped in clingfilm in a carrier bag.
Detective Superintendent Joseph Harrop of GMP’s Economic Crime unit, said: “We are always keen to strip criminals of their finances, if someone has bought a luxury car or home from their criminal profits – why should they be allowed to keep it?
“The money is not only used to buy luxury items, but also used to fund more serious violence and, as always, we are committed to keeping this off the streets of Manchester.
“Our promise to the people of Greater Manchester remains the same – we will tackle economic crime with a lot of force, the community will always win against crime.
“For too long, criminals have been able to brazenly flaunt their assets, driving around in luxury cars and wearing designer items, all of which have been bought by their criminal proceeds.
“Criminals often commit crime for their own financial gain and benefit so this is an important part of the criminal justice system and ensures we can give back in one way or another. The money we recover is being used to help fight, prevent and reduce crime; keep people safe; and care for victims which ultimately makes Greater Manchester a better place to live, work and visit.
“We hope this figure sends a clear message; Greater Manchester is not the place to harbour criminal money.”
