Merseyside Police drugs operation scoops national award
Monday, 01 June, 2009
Merseyside Police is celebrating after scooping a prestigious national Home
Office 'Tackling Drug Supply' award for 2009 in April.
The Force was the winner in the 'Best Practice in Asset Recovery' category for its success in stripping a major organised crime network in north Liverpool of its ill-gotten gains following a covert operation.
The operation resulted in: over 55 kilos of Class A controlled drugs recovered, valued at more than £3 million, 17 firearms and a large amount of ammunition recovered, prison sentences totalling more than 100 years, more than £1 million in cash seized and forfeited, more than £2 million identified in criminal's assets and confiscation orders amounting to £587,000 granted by the courts.
The officers from the Force's criminal assets team were one of five forces congratulated for their exemplary work in cracking down on drug dealers.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable, Bernard Hogan-Howe, said: "Merseyside Police has had some significant successes in the field of serious organized crime and over the past three years has been one of the most successful forces in the country for asset recovery.
"Last year this force seized in excess of £2.6 million. Ironically, through the national incentivisation scheme we are able to plough some of that money taken off criminals back into fighting crime on Merseyside
"I am delighted that the criminal assets team has been recognised nationally for it's work on this particular case and would like to congratulate them on a job well done. The team works hard to ensure that crime does not pay and this is one of numerous successful asset recovery cases they have worked on in recent years. Their work has supplemented that of the investigation team, which saw a number of people put behind bars."
Detective Inspector Neil Clark from the Force's criminal assets team, said: "I am delighted that the team has been recognized by the Home Office in relation to this operation."
