Move to make criminals hand over gambling chips and slips
Proceeds of Crime bid to seize monetary value items
CRIMINALS should be forced to hand over casino chips and high value betting slips under Proceeds of Crime laws, the Scottish Government has claimed.
Ministers have written to the Home Office outlining potential ways to make it tougher for offenders to avoid paying up – including powers allowing the seizure of items of monetary value such as gambling commodities.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said Proceeds of Crime legislation has already achieved a lot, but ministers believe more can be done to ensure criminals cannot stash their ill-gotten gains in ways that put them beyond the reach of the authorities.
He said: “These stronger measures would see serious organised criminals hit harder in the pocket.
“It will put an end to criminals trying to dodge cash seizures by putting it into high value items such as betting slips.
“These changes have the potential to allow Scottish courts to seize more money from criminals and re-invest it back into local communities and fund facilities that stop young people getting involved in crime in the first place.”
Proceeds of Crime legislation is reserved to Westminster so Mr Matheson has written to the UK Government highlighting areas to be considered in future legislation.
The Scottish Government claimed it has steadily worked with the Home Office to strengthen Proceeds of Crime law in Scotland, including increasings tests demonstrating someone has a criminal lifestyle and removing the possibility of criminals being sent to prison rather than paying the money.
There have also been improvements in information sharing between police forces and other bodies throughout the UK.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 came into force early in 2003 and allowed the establishment of a non-conviction based civil recovery scheme. The Crown Office has used the legislation to make a number of high-profile seizures in recent years. Earlier this month, a stash of gold coins worth £16,000 was recovered by prosecutors after police discovered them following a high speed chase.
The 19 South African Krugerrands were among a hoard of cash and jewellery recovered by officers who believed they were making a simple traffic stop in West Dunbartonshire.
One of the largest seizures came in 2010, when the Crown seized £6.5 million from a Russian businessman in connection with a money-laundering investigation.
The cash confiscated from Anatoly Kazachkov, 64, linked to several British financiers, came after a three-year inquiry.
In Scotland, money seized through the Proceeds of Crime Act is reinvested in the CashBack for Communities programme, a Scott ish Governmen t initiative that reclaims cash to fund activities and opportunities in local communities.
The Home Office failed to respond to The Herald’s request for a comment.
‘‘ It will put an end to criminals trying to dodge cash seizures by putting it into high value items like betting slips