£5.5m recovered from criminals in Scotland

More than £5.5 million was recovered from criminals in Scotland last year using Proceeds of Crime legislation.

The money recovered brings the total secured since the launch of proceeds of crime laws in 2003 to nearly £33 million, according to the latest figures.

Next year, even more is expected to be seized with targeted action against an estimated 4,000 individuals at the heart of serious organised crime in Scotland.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said police forces would continue to target organised criminal gangs and would concentrate on businesses where illicit cash is being filtered.

Speaking in Dundee last week, where the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce published its first progress report, Mr MacAskill said: “It brings violence and intimidation to our communities from people who don’t care what they peddle or who it affects as long as it brings them profit and power.

“I know decent people are sick of seeing criminals who don’t seem to be forced to tighten their belts in the way that others are having to do at the moment. Lifestyles that are being funded through crime, hidden behind supposedly respectable business fronts.”

Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini added: “These latest figures demonstrate that those who seek to profit from crime run a serious risk of having their assets seized by the courts. Our message is clear.

These figures should be a warning that even if they have escaped justice to date, that we will be relentless in pursuing the fruits of their criminal activity even beyond the grave.”

‘Operation Lockdown’ alone secured £515,997. The surveillance-led operation into large-scale commercial import and distribution of Class A controlled drugs, saw four confiscation orders made: Brian McCulloch was ordered to hand over £171,372; Steven Caddis, £127,000; Gary Caddis, £90,000; and Stephen Jamieson, 127, 625.