This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Flats confiscated under Proceeds of Crime Act
30/06/2006
Ten flats in Dundee have today been recovered by the Crown Office Civil Recovery Unit following proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
The properties will now be put up for sale. The proceeds, less outstanding mortgage obligations, will then be paid over to Scottish Ministers. In addition, the Court of Session ordered that money in bank accounts, cash, savings plans, policies and pensions be handed over to the Crown.
The assets were owned by Paul Anthony Cox and a company in which he had an interest. Mr Cox, who had a limited legitimate income over a number of years, had been able to buy the properties, and make substantial savings in bank accounts and pension plans, as a result of his involvement with drug related crime. Mr Cox agreed to settle the case out of Court.
The Lord Advocate, The Right Honourable The Lord Boyd of Duncansby QC, has welcomed this development, saying:
"This case underlines our determination to recover the proceeds of crime. The Proceeds of Crime Act was designed to show that crime does not pay, and this latest case demonstrates that the new powers are being used to recover all types of property for the benefit of the public purse. A large number of properties have been recovered in this case, showing that civil recovery is a very effective way of depriving people of their ill-gotten gains. "
Background
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) came into force early in 2003. POCA makes provision for a civil recovery scheme, whereby the proceeds of unlawful conduct are recoverable, and an enhanced cash forfeiture scheme. The Scottish Ministers institute civil recovery proceedings. The Civil Recovery Unit is responsible for the implementation of civil recovery and cash forfeiture in Scotland. The Lord Advocate is the Scottish Minister responsible for the operation of the Unit.
This release was published on 03/07/2006