Items seized from three individuals after they were issued with confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) are being sold on the force’s eBay site.
In November confiscation orders were granted under POCA after Charlie Smith, Alfred Adams and John Doran after they were convicted in April 2018 for a series of ATM breaks.
A number of items were seized from the defendants during the investigation including a Mercedes E350D AMG, a BMW X5, a BMW 1 Series, designer clothing, Crown Royal Derby China and high value jewellery.
Some of those items have either since been sold on the site or are due to be listed in the coming weeks.
The site is used to sell surplus police goods, items that have either been recovered during a police investigation and not been claimed or reunited with their owners, and property that has been confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
Leicestershire Police was the first force in the country to use the eBay site to auction property in this way and began using the site in 2008.
Surplus police goods can include anything from unused electrical items to vehicles.
Paul Wenlock from the force’s economic crime unit, said: “Those who choose to take the path of criminality should not be allowed to benefit from their crimes. When an individual is convicted of offences we have the powers to approach the courts and apply for confiscation orders under POCA.
“As well as goods from Leicestershire cases we also sell items on behalf of our regional forces. In 2016 Northamptonshire Police conducted an investigation, under the codename Operation Formula, into the supply of drugs and during the arrest of an individual they seized cash, drugs and high value goods.
(Picture courtesy of Northamptonshire Police)
“The defendant was convicted and the investigation revealed he benefitted by more than £650,000 from his crimes. He was issued with a confiscation order and designer clothing and jewellery was sold on Leicestershire’s eBay site on their behalf.
“This site is hugely beneficial for us in generating income from property which would just lie in storage or over time be destroyed. In the last seven months we have sold more than £230,000 worth of goods on the site.
“Income generated from the sales of POCA items is submitted to the Home Office who then return a percentage of the money to the force which is shared between the police, victims, courts and the criminal justice system. The remaining income from the sale of other items remains with the force.”
If anyone wishes to view the items currently on sale on the site please visit https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/leicesterpolicepocaproperty
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