'POCA FORFEITURE OBTAINED AFTER DRUGS OPERATION'
Ashfad Ahmad of Hounslow, West London was arrested on the 30th of August 2008 during an operation run by the Metropolitan Police Middle Market Drugs Team. Officers searched an address in Chiswick, West London and seized 5kg of heroin with a value of £75, 000. A quantity of correspondence was also seized along with £10, 000 in cash.
Whilst in custody, Ahmad supplied his bank card and bank details to an accomplice who then went onto withdraw £18, 500 from Ahmad's account. However, the London RART stepped in and identified the account and seized this cash.
On the 28th of November at City of Westminster Magistrates Court, a Forfeiture Order was granted for £29,669.36 against the cash seized including interest from Ahmad.
The London RART are pleased with this result which highlights how the cash involved in crime will be seized and forfeited.
A spokesman for the London RART said; " It is always satisfying taking money away from criminals, not only does it deprive them of the fruits of their criminality, it further precludes the money beng re-invested into further criminal enterprises. Those who opt to take the criminal route are gambling not only with their liberty but also exposing themselves to losing their assets and that may include their possessions which were legitimately obtained. Thanks to the Proceeds of Crime Act it is the criminal who is made to repay the financial benefit made from crime and not society."