A complex joint operation between Lancashire Constabulary and the North West Regional Asset Recovery Team (RART) has scooped top honours at the 2006 Home Office Tackling Drugs Supply Awards.

Operation Exclusive, an investigation into the large-scale money laundering scam that involved assets in excess of two million pounds, won the national accolade in the Best Practice in Assets Recovery category.

At a special event held in Brighton on 23rd March 2006 representatives from both the Constabulary and the RART collected their well-deserved award from Vince Hogg from the Home Office Drugs Directorate.

Detective Inspector Ian Critchley who was the senior investigating officer for Operation Exclusive, and who is based in Blackburn said, " I am proud that this operation which began back in Blackburn in 2003 is now being recognised at a national level. We have had a great deal of public support and positive community feedback regarding the convictions in this case. Operation Exclusive is certainly one of the most significant results in recent years for the Constabulary and the police in East Lancashire. It demonstrates our continued commitment to targeting the traffickers of Class A drugs. The award recognises the hard work and dedication of officers from a number of different departments paticularly Eastern Division Targeted Crime Unit and the RART with whom we worked closely for over two years to achieve this result."

Home Officer Minister Paul Goggins commenting on Lancashire's success said: Drugs are a menace to our communities and those people who supply them in our towns and cities are making money from other people's misery. Operation exclusive has hit criminals where it hurts most - their pockets. Exclusive has not just seized significant amounts of drugs, but has stripped the dealers of almost £3 million in criminal assets. Much of this money will go back into front line policing, payback for some of the damage they have caused." He further commented "Asset recovery is instrumental in crime reduction. I applaud the hard work and committment shown by police officers at lancashire Constabulary and the North West RART in dismantling a major organised criminal gang and ensuring that did not profit from their crimes."

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Kellett, head of the NW RART said, " It is very pleasing to know that the tremendous hard work by people from the Constabulary and RART has been recognised at a national level. During the course of the investigation staff from several law enforcement agencies were closely involved in the case. As well as the Police and CPS involvement, customs officers, tax inspectors and people from other agencies contributed and the award is recognition of real teamwork. Criminal can no longer go to prison, do their time and then come out to enjoy good lifestyles funded by their drug dealing. " 

A selection of photographs taken at the Award Ceremony in Brighton

    
 Tackling Drugs Supply Awards            The Exclusive Team
    
 Presentation of the winning trophy         Vince Hogg of the Home Office Drugs Directorate
    
 Tackling Drugs Supply Awards               DCI Mike Kellett speaking at the awards
 
Background to "Operation Exclusive"