Rolexes, diamonds and cash seized by Cleveland Police unit

Cleveland Police said they have secured more than £16 million in confiscation orders, targeting everything from cash and property to high-value designer goods.

More than £500,000 in cash, watches, diamonds, gold, houses, cars, designer clothing and even a pension are among the assets seized by Cleveland Police under the Proceeds of Crime Act, in addition to freezing bank accounts.

In once case when officers pulled over a car and spoke with a very nervous driver, who seemed suspicious, they carried out a search of the vehicle.

In the footwell of the passenger seat, they found a huge amount of cash – £129,355.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property and the cash was recovered by the arresting officers.

During a different investigation into drugs activity, £300,000 in cash and other assets including several Rolex watches were recovered.

This led to financial enquiries being carried out by the Economic Crime Unit, which identified several bank accounts containing tens of thousands of pounds, all of which were then frozen under POCA.

Organised Crime Chief Inspector, Dave Glass said: “The work of the Economic Crime Unit ensures that crime doesn’t pay.

“We disrupt criminal activity by removing the benefit of crime from criminals at every opportunity.

“We can confiscate all kinds of assets – houses, savings, cars, and even pensions.

“Literally anything that we believe has been paid for with money made from criminal activity, we can seize.”

The team has also targeted digital assets, making their first cryptocurrency seizure in 2024 in a blackmail case involving a teenager.

Although there were no charges or convictions, more than £9,000 in cryptocurrency linked to criminal activity on messaging app Telegram was seized.

The unit’s work is supported by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matt Storey, who recently approved funding for an additional investigator after a staff member secured £266,000 in confiscated assets since April 2024.

Among the more unusual seizures was a pension fund, eventually used to repay a charity that was targeted by its CEO.

After stealing more than £128,000 to fund a lavish lifestyle, the individual was found to have a pension pot worth more than £300,000.

The funds were cashed in and used to compensate the charity in full.

In another case, diamonds worth more than £3,000 were found in a caravan during a drugs investigation.

Initially mistaken for cubic zirconia, the gems and other assets were later forfeited under POCA.

Investigators can also freeze accounts and restrain assets during ongoing investigations to prevent suspects from disposing of them.

Homes, cars, and even animals have been seized where evidence linked them to criminal profits.

Mr Storey said: “The work of this team often goes unseen, carried out quietly and diligently behind the scenes, but it is absolutely essential.”

Chief Inspector Glass said the work not only disrupts criminal networks but helps compensate victims and returns money to communities.