DRUGS SUSPECTS FACE SEIZURE OF CASH AT CUSTOMS

KEITH Hellawell, the Government's anti-drugs co-ordinator, has drawn up
powers for customs officers to seize money being smuggled into Britain by
suspected criminals and drug smugglers.

Ministers are backing the move because of concerns that organised gangs are
bringing millions of pounds from the proceeds of criminal rackets into
Britain every year, depositing the money in banks or using it to fund drug
peddling. Under the proposals, customs and police officers will be able to
seize amounts of more than UKP10,000 if possession of it cannot be
explained satisfactorily.

Mr Hellawell yesterday confirmed that new laws were being drafted.
"Legislation is at present being considered to extend our powers to seize
cash in excess of UKP10,000 imported or exported through UK border
controls." Since foreign exchange controls were abolished, there is nothing
illegal about taking any amount of cash in or out of the country.

It is difficult for customs to confiscate cash even if there is a strong
suspicion that it is the profits of drug smuggling. It is estimated that up
to UKP100 million of drug money was imported into Britain last year
although less than UKP1 million was seized from travellers passing through
Customs. At present, Customs officers must obtain a court order and have
proof that an offence has been committed before they can seize cash.

The new measures would allow Customs officers to demand the cash on the
spot, and it would then be up to owner to prove it was lawfully held. The
proposals have been drawn up by the Performance and Innovation Unit at the
Cabinet Office, which oversees the Government's fight against drugs, and
will be outlined in a white paper to be issued in June.

A national bureau responsible for the confiscation of the homes and
possessions of drug dealers and other offenders is also planned. The police
have already drawn up a so-called "hit list" of top criminals whom they
plan to target.

Organised crime is an industry estimated to be worth more than UKP5 billion
annually of which less than UKP10 million a year is recovered by the courts
or police.