AGENCY RESTRAINS 400,000 OF ASSETS

19 Oct 2004 04:15 PM

The Assets Recovery Agency has put another 400,000 of assets under restraint. The Agency satisfied the High Court that there is a good arguable case that property held by David Griffiths of Oldham - three residential premises in Oldham, a public house in mid-Wales, cash found on the respondent's premises and bank accounts - has been obtained as a result of unlawful conduct linked to excise evasion and drug smuggling.
An Interim Receiver has taken control of the assets which have an estimated value of 400,000.

On 18 October the High Court in London granted the Agency an Interim Receiving Order. This ensures that the assets cannot be disposed of whilst the Interim Receiver carries out their investigation. The Interim Receiver, who is an independent officer of the Court, will submit a report to the Court in due course. If that report shows that assets represent the proceeds of crime, the Agency will apply for a Civil Recovery Order.

Jane Earl, Director of the Agency said "The Agency will use its powers firmly and fairly in tracking down the proceeds of crime. By taking assets out of circulation we are making sure they cannot be used to fund even more crime. This case was referred to the Agency by the National Crime Squad and we have also received valuable assistance from the Greater Manchester and Dyfed Powys police forces. It is another example of closer working between law enforcement agencies to ensure that financial investigation is used effectively in the fight against crime."

Note for Editors:
1. The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 created the Assets Recovery Agency and provided completely new powers to allow ARA to seek civil recovery of the proceeds of unlawful activity by an action in the High Court. The Agency can also issue tax assessments where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that there is taxable income, gain or profit from criminal conduct.

2. The Agency is playing its part in the multi-agency approach to deliver the Government's Asset Recovery Strategy. The overall aims of the strategy are to make greater use of the investigations of criminal assets in the fight against crime; recover money that has been made from crime or which is intended for use in crime; prevent criminals and their associates from laundering the proceeds of criminal conduct, and detect and penalise such laundering where it occurs; to use the proceeds recovered for the benefit of the community.

Assets Recovery Agency, PO Box 39992
London EC4M 7XQ

T +44 (0)20 7029 5700
F +44 (0)20 7029 5706
E enquiries@ara.gsi.gov.uk www.assetsrecovery.gov.uk