GMP seize almost £100,000 of suspected ill-gotten gains in Mossley and Cheetham Hill

Image courtesy of GMP

Police officers have seized almost £100,000 of suspected ill-gotten gains as part of Operation Falcon.

On Wednesday, September 7, officers from GMP's Economic and Cyber Crime team and Specialist Operations, executed a number of searches of vehicles and properties in Cheetham Hill, as well as an address in Mossley.

Subsequently, £97,800 cash as well as a number of high value watches were seized and two males aged 29 and 31 were arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Joseph Harrop, of the Economic and Cyber Crime Team, said: “This seizure is another very positive result for Op Falcon who despite being set up less than four months ago, has already seen hundreds of thousands pounds seized.

“Cash-based money laundering costs the UK economy billions of pounds and is illicit cash which often serves as the motivator for serious and organised crime.

"Operation Falcon will continue and we’ll be carrying on with targeting those suspected to be involved in money laundering and aim to seize their assets and cash so they can be reinvested into the communities who need it.

“No matter how hard attempts are made to hide the money through front businesses, we will find it, forfeit it, and reinvest it back into the community of Greater Manchester.”

Anyone with information about suspicious financial activity can report it to GMP online through the online crime reporting form, or by calling 101.

You can also report via the Live Chat service on GMP's website: www.gmp.police.uk

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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