Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have seized more than £1million in a money laundering operation since it started last year.

Operation Falcon was launched in May 2022, and aimed to identify those involved in money laundering in a bid to disrupt wider organised crime in Greater Manchester and since then, the operation has seen seizures totalling over £1 million.

The force's economic and cyber crime section has increased the size of its asset recovery team and brought in a dedicated money laundering unit, who work together with partners to tackle money laundering offences which is costing the UK billions of pounds each year.

The Bolton News: Money Laundering

Money laundering is not a victimless crime, it is often that this criminality funds more serious and organised crime In Greater Manchester.

Officers in the force's economic crime unit are dedicated to seizing this cash and taking away criminal finances.

Officers from GMP’s Money laundering team with assistance from our road policing unit and specialist operations are on the ground and conducting regular enforcement activities and warrants to bring those to justice who feel as though they can get away with laundering money for their own financial gain.

Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, who oversees GMP’s economic crime unit, said: “This operation has gone from strength to strength.

"We have officially seized £1.1 million in the last year since the creation of Operation Falcon.

“No matter where the money is hidden our officers will seize, forfeit and then look to recover through court in order for it to be recovered and filtered into communities across Greater Manchester through Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) funding.

“Last year was a record-breaking year for us at GMP, but will not stop here, with every forfeiture of criminals’ cash, we strengthen our grip on the assets possessed by offenders and suspects, and are targeting them where it hurts by stripping them of their criminal finances.

“Anyone with information about suspicious financial activity can report it to us online through our online crime reporting facility, or by calling 101. You can also report via our Live Chat service on our website, www.gmp.police.uk.

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