Police Seize £2,000 from Shrewsbury Man

Officers from the West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit successfully applied to Telford magistrates for a forfeiture order for £2,043.95 against Sean Michael Northwood, of York Road, Shrewsbury.

The application was made by financial investigator Detective Constable Vince Jenks under the Proceeds of Crime Act on the basis that the money was “recoverable property intended for use in unlawful conduct”.

It arose following the execution of a drugs search warrant carried out by police under the Misuse of Drugs Act at Northwood’s home during December 2009. Various items were seized, including cannabis bush, a set of scales later shown to have traces of cocaine and cannabis on them and cash totalling £1,944.95.

Several mobile phones were also recovered, including two which when examined had text messages relating to the purchase and sale of controlled drugs.

Sean Northwood, who was not present at the time of the search, was arrested later the same day after arriving home. When interviewed, he admitted the cannabis belonged to him but denied dealing in drugs and said the money seized was gained from selling his car.

A second search of the home in York Road during last May, resulted in the seizure of two mobile phones, £90 and a small amount of cannabis.

Following further police enquiries and advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, Northwood received a formal caution for possessing cannabis. A total of £2,043.95p was also seized and held prior to the successful application for forfeiture to the magistrates.

DC Jenks told the court that no reasonable explanation about the source of the cash had been forthcoming and therefore it was reasonable to conclude it had been obtained through unlawful conduct.

He added: “I’m delighted the court saw fit to confiscate this money. West Mercia’s Economic Crime Unit is making an ever-increasing number of applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act to retrieve money believed to have been initially obtained unlawfully.”