Suspected crime cash is seized at Birmingham airport

18 August 2009

Officers from the UK Border Agency at Birmingham International Airport have seized £92,000 in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Seven separate seizures, ranging from £8,500 to £28,000, were made over a two-week period as eight men and one woman of various nationalities tried to take the cash out of the United Kingdom. The seizures were made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Following court orders, the money is being held for three months while HM Revenue & Customs officers carry out investigations into the seizures. It will be confiscated and returned to the public purse if it is shown to be associated with criminal activity.

Adrian Farley, assistant director of criminal investigation for HM Revenue & Customs, said:

'Cash is only seized if there are reasonable grounds to suspect it is the proceeds of, or is intended for use in, illegal activities. The Proceeds of Crime Act was specifically designed to take the profit out of crime, making it harder for money to be laundered and depriving criminals of their illicit wealth. It is a vital element of our criminal investigation strategy.'