Police seize £200,000 from car driven by suspected drug dealer

A SUSPECTED drug dealer has been stripped of £200,000 in the single biggest cash seizure of its kind in Scottish history.

Christopher Cummins, 47, was stopped by Strathclyde Police officers who believed his silver Ford Mondeo contained drugs.

Instead they found 200,191 in bank notes, ranging from 5 to 100, stashed in carrier bags.

The money was confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act, even though Mr Cummins faces no charges, as he was unable to explain how he obtained it.

He had the opportunity to do so at Hamilton Sheriff Court, on 15 September, and reclaim the money, but failed to appear.

It is the largest cash seizure since the act came into force in 2002. Although Russian Anatoly Kazachkov, 64, was stripped of 6.6 million, that was on bank statement ledgers rather than actual cash.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Lawson, of Strathclyde Police's major crime and terrorism investigation unit, said: "We are delighted with the result of the confiscation order announced today by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in relation to Christopher Cummins.

"This strengthens the message that crime really doesn't pay and should make it clear to all those who think that they can make money from criminality that the law will catch up with you."

Deputy Chief Constable Gordon Meldrum, Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency, added: "Identifying assets for seizure is a key area of law enforcement's approach to combating serious organised crime.

"By utilising the full capabilities of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 we can effectively disrupt the activities of serious organised crime groups, and this can be just as important as making a key arrest or seizing drugs."

The cash was recovered on 30 June, after Mr Cummins, from Glasgow, was stopped while on the M74 near Hamilton.

Like other cash seizures it will invested by Scottish Ministers in community projects aimed at alleviating the effects of crime, such as 500,000 recently paid to the No Knives Better Lives project.

Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini said: "I am very pleased to announce this cash forfeiture which is the largest in Scotland so far. This is a case that clearly demonstrates the effectiveness and versatility of the POCA legislation and yet again proves that it is an invaluable tool in the fight against serious and organised crime.

"Although there was insufficient evidence to justify criminal proceedings against the driver, he did not defend the case and offered no explanation as to the source of the funds. Prior to Proceeds of Crime legislation, we would have been powerless and would have had no choice but to return the money to the driver."