Pubdate: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 Source: Bristol Evening Post (UK) Copyright: 2003 Bristol Evening Post Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2412 Website: http://www.epost.co.uk RAISING STAKES IN WAR ON TRAFFICKERS Avon and Somerset police's financial investigation unit is making sure drug traffickers are being deprived of their ill-gotten gains. The unit has increased in size - thanks to extra money from last year's Council Tax precept - and is now able to devote more time to targeting people who launder the proceeds of crime. During the past 12 months, officers have made more than 40 arrests for money laundering related to drug dealing and confiscated almost UKP600,000, compared with UKP100,000 last year. One detective and two police staff have joined the unit to work on Moneyspinner, the operation to tackle money laundering. Last April, Avon and Somerset Police Authority raised its Council Tax precept to provide improvements in police resources. This included recruiting 196 extra police officers and 164 staff. Det Insp Richard Budd said: "The additional cash has helped us not only to go out and arrest those dealing with drugs and laundering money, but also to become involved in follow-up work and recover the assets derived from these illegal activities. "Removing the assets of criminals sends out a strong message that crime doesn't pay." If an offender is convicted of a serious drug related or criminal offence, the courts will decide how much that person has benefited from their crimes. If, for example, that figure is UKP100,000 and the police investigation shows that they have UKP40,000 in assets, then the court will confiscate the UKP40,000. Once the UKP40,000 has been paid, further confiscation can occur if the person subsequently comes into possession of assets, even if this is by legitimate means. This can continue until the benefit figure of UKP100,000 has been achieved. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake