Successful cash forfeiture hearing

The owner of a Liverpool take-away has been ordered to forfeit over £110,000 following a hearing held under the Proceeds of Crime Act at Liverpool City Magistrates Court on Monday 3rd, April.

The cash forfeiture of £111,150.76 followed an earlier police investigation.  Back in August 2004 officers from Merseyside Police International Crime Wing and Financial Investigation Unit, and the UK Immigration Service executed a search warrant at a Chinese take-Away on Coronation Road, Crosby, Merseyside.  The proprietor, Ms. Yue Ming Li (39) was found to be harbouring four illegal immigrants.  Seventeen International Driving Licences bearing the identities of fifteen Chinese nationals a Colombian and a Malaysian were also found on the premises.  A total of £111,150.76p in cash was found in various locations around the premises.

In January 2005, Ms Li pleaded guilty to Immigration Act offences, she was convicted and fined £1000.  Specialist investigators from the North West Regional Asset Recovery Team (NW RART) in partnership with the Merseyside Police then launched an investigation into Ms Li’s financial affairs.

The forfeiture hearing, a civil proceeding, was contested but District Judge Lomax found in favour of Merseyside Police and the North West RART investigators.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Kellett, Head of the North West RART said,

“This forfeiture hearing is an example of the Proceeds of Crime Act being used to full effect.  Profits from criminality can still be seized even when there has not been a criminal conviction for a financial offence.  Our message is simple, crime doesn’t pay and criminals should expect their ill-gotten gains be taken away.”