16 Sep 2011

$48m in criminal assets seized

4:07 pm on 16 September 2011

Police have seized $48 million worth of criminal assets and cash since new legislation came into force less than two years ago.

The Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act became law in December 2009, allowing the police to take assets believed to be the proceeds of crime even if there has been no criminal conviction.

Art collections, vintage cars, jewellery, cash, boats, houses and farms have all been seized under the act, which was introduced to target organised crime.

It allows the police to take civil action against people in order to confiscate assets. The owner then has to prove the purchases were lawful.

The assets are usually sold, with the money going to the Crown.