POLICE took almost £7 million worth of dodgy goods off the streets last year, and have warned the public that buying fakes funds serious organised crime.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson showed off the haul of counterfeit cigarettes, clothing and cosmetics confiscated by cops, as he launched the Government’s report into Scotland’s gangs.
Officers made nearly 3,000 arrests of people known to be involved in serious organised crime, and said there were still 196 known groups operating in Scotland, two-thirds of whom are seemingly linked to seemingly legitimate businesses.
According to the report the most common business types are licensed premises, restaurants, building and construction companies, taxis and nail bars.
More than two thirds of the gangs operate on the west coast, just 22 per cent are based in the East and 11 per cent in the North. Sixty-seven per cent Scotland’s gangs are funded by drug crime, the report says, with cocaine the biggest seller.
Other crime types include violence, fraud, money laundering; organised immigration crime; human trafficking; organised theft; bogus workmen; counterfeit goods and cybercrime.
The report also says the Government took £9m off individuals and companies involved in criminal activity in the last 12 months, taking the total seized through proceeds of crime legislation in the 14 years it’s been in operation to more than £100m.
Matheson said: “Tackling organised crime is about much more than police raids and court trials. We need to work collectively, in our communities to tackle the harm caused by serious organised crime, to stop the cycle of deprivation and, crucially, give those involved in these activities the chance to turn their lives around. With the right education we can prevent people, including our young people, from being recruited into a life of crime.”
New Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC, warned shoppers to be wary of buying fakes: “The public should be aware that counterfeit goods are often the product of serious organised crime and that by buying such goods you could be funding groups who deal in drugs and human trafficking. And if you buy goods which you know to be stolen then you could also be prosecuted under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
Deputy Chief Constable Johnny Gwynne said Scotland’s gangsters were adapting to the 21st century: “Criminals are increasingly using cyber-technology to carry out their trade and as a collective, the taskforce and Police Scotland are doing all we can to ensure there is no hiding place; serious organised crime groups will find Scotland an increasingly hostile environment to operate in.
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