Two million pounds in criminal cash seized across Greater Manchester
There's been a major crackdown by Greater Manchester Police
Two million pounds worth of criminal cash has been confiscated in a major crackdown by Greater Manchester Police.
Operation Falcon was launched in May 2022. working towards removing funds from criminal networks.
Since its creation, officers have clawed back criminal money which has then been used to fund community initiatives and policing operations that tackle, reduce and prevent crime.
Over £2 million has been seized from things like proactive operations on the roads to warrants executed at known criminal addresses.
Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop head of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime and Lead for Operation Falcon, said “If we stop the right criminals in the right cars, there is a high likelihood that they will be transporting cash.
“The operation has been successful because we use officers and police staff with different skillsets. We have officers that can develop intelligence and then our specialist driving capabilities in our Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit who are utilised to stop criminals in their tracks. The cases are then sent to experts in our Asset Detention and Recovery Unit to then prove the money has been acquired by illicit means, and then we can ultimately recover that cash in the courts.
“Money laundering is a factor in every single crime type, and it is a means to generate an income to further their criminality. It is important to recognise that those criminals that are operating at this level and moving large sums of cash are the criminals who are blighting our communities the most, and removing their funds means we are ultimately making Greater Manchester a safer place to live work and visit.
“We will continue this momentum by continuing to tackle criminal finance, and if you’re operating in Greater Manchester and you’re generating money from crime - we will come and get it off you and then reinvest it back into our community.”