seized money

[helliebobs]

I watched Cars Wars last night and a young woman was stopped in her car and the traffic police found drugs and a small plastic bag in her handbag on the passenger seat. The woman said there was �5000 in the bag and it got me thinking about what would happen to the money once she was in custody - it looked highly likely that that sort of money was the result of drug dealing.

How do the police decide what happens to the recovered money?

[JudgeJ]

The police do not decide what happens to the money.

They may retain it temporarily whilst proceedings are considered and undertaken. If they suspect that the money is the proceeds of a crime it may be used in evidence if the matter comes to Court.

If the matter does come before a Court and the defendant is convicted, that court will decide if the money should be returned to the suspect, returned to the rightful owner, or confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

If no proceedings are taken against the suspect the police generally have no right to retain any property and it must be returned.

There are moves afoot (ostensibly aimed at the prevention of money laundering) to introduce measures which would compel people found with more than �1,000 in cash on them, to be forced to explain how they came about the money.

[helliebobs]

Thanks for that JudgeJ, but what happens if the money is confiscated and the person charged? Does it get spent or given to charities or used by the government?

[JudgeJ]

All seized monies go to the Exchequer.

[buildersmate]

No wonder Gordon always has a smile on his face. I thought it was because he was looking forward to moving next door.

[helliebobs]

I wonder how much there is?!

Thanks JudgeJ!