14 Dec 2001
Minister of State for Scotland George Foulkes, who is currently helping to steer the Proceeds of Crime Bill through Westminster, today visited the men and women fighting the battle against the Mr Bigs who fund lavish lifestyles from organised crime, drugs and smuggling.
The Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA), the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), and HM Customs & Excise will show the Minister how they have joined forces to make sure that crime doesn’t pay for the criminal.
On a visit to the three organisations, who work alongside Scotland’s police forces on the frontline, Mr Foulkes said:
"The Government is determined to seize the money and other proceeds of crime – drug-related and otherwise.
"The co-ordination of effort by the SDEA, NCIS and HM Customs & Excise is crucial to the success of our aim, and UK and Scottish anti-drugs strategies. I am here today to learn first hand of the operational and ‘on the ground’ work of these organisations.
"The Proceeds of Crime Bill amalgamates and strengthens existing criminal confiscation powers in one Act and introduces a new power of civil recovery that aims to give police new powers to search for and seize large sums of criminal cash and other assets. This Bill and the hard work of the police and the agencies that I have seen examples of today should ensure that the days of criminals living the high life funded by the proceeds of crime are numbered."
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
1. The Proceeds of Crime Bill is designed to increase powers against money laundering and to strengthen court powers generally to seize assets that are proven or deemed to be a direct result of criminal activity.
2. The Bill is a UK-wide measure, and via a Sewel Motion, the Scottish Parliament has agreed its application in Scotland. The Bill contains specific Scottish provisions to ensure that the powers are fully aligned to the Scottish justice system and process, and is the largest piece of Scottish legislation since devolution.
3. George Foulkes and Bob Ainsworth, Minister of State at the Home Office, are currently steering the Bill through its Standing Committee Stage in the House of Commons.