0:00:02 > 0:00:04When the cell door slams shut on a criminal, you might think
0:00:04 > 0:00:08they've got their just desserts, but the law doesn't stop there.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13Criminals are now having their most prized possessions hunted down,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16seized, and sold at auction to the highest bidder.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Welcome to Ill Gotten Gains.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43In this programme, we follow police in Wales
0:00:43 > 0:00:45on an operation with a difference.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48The officers here are not just looking
0:00:48 > 0:00:50to give a criminal jail time.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52They're about to strip him of his cash and assets.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56And this family yacht will be auctioned
0:00:56 > 0:01:00after it was intercepted sailing through British waters.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02It was being used by a criminal gang
0:01:02 > 0:01:06who were trying to pull off a massive international crime.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10But some people do very well out of the criminals.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14We meet the charities who receive the cash seized from crooks
0:01:14 > 0:01:17in their area, and see how they spend it.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20For me to be able to provide a grant from the proceeds of crime
0:01:20 > 0:01:22to put into this project is fantastic.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33Across Britain, every day, teams of specialist police officers
0:01:33 > 0:01:37are using a powerful law called the Proceeds of Crime Act
0:01:37 > 0:01:39to take cash and property
0:01:39 > 0:01:42from people who make money in illegal ways.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45They might be fraudsters, drug dealers or benefit cheats
0:01:45 > 0:01:48but any cash they made through breaking the law
0:01:48 > 0:01:49will be taken away by police.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56They seized over £150 million from crooks in a year,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and it's not just cash that gets seized.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03This building may not look like Sotheby's, but millions of pounds
0:02:03 > 0:02:08worth of goods owned by crooks gets sold off here every year.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12This is a location miles away from London, where they hold
0:02:12 > 0:02:16barely advertised auctions called Proceeds of Crime Sales.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17They're open to the public
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and any ill gotten gains are seized by the police
0:02:20 > 0:02:22and sold to the highest bidder.
0:02:30 > 0:02:31Up and down the country,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33there are secret locations like this one
0:02:33 > 0:02:36where the police store assets seized by criminals
0:02:36 > 0:02:39using the powerful Proceeds of Crime law,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42designed to hit crooks where it hurts the hardest -
0:02:42 > 0:02:44in their pockets.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48The Proceeds of Crime Act brought in legislation
0:02:48 > 0:02:51which allows you to prosecute offenders in the first place,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54but it also, in relation to assets seized,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57allows you to take the benefit that the criminal's made
0:02:57 > 0:02:59and hit them in the pocket.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Once you've been a successful criminal,
0:03:01 > 0:03:02for want of a better word,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05you could lose the asset you've acquired
0:03:05 > 0:03:07and all that work could have been for nothing.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11But it also has the advantage of it takes the money and the cash
0:03:11 > 0:03:14out of circulation and, in many cases,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18that cash and that money would be reinvested in criminal activity.
0:03:18 > 0:03:19So it has a double effect.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23One, negating the symbolism of a successful criminal, but also
0:03:23 > 0:03:27removing the funds from being repatriated into criminal activity.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32For police to put their Proceeds of Crime powers into action,
0:03:32 > 0:03:37there first needs to be an arrest, and we were there when it happened.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38In South Wales,
0:03:38 > 0:03:43a team of specialist officers are preparing to raid a nearby address.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47They're after a suspected drug dealer who they believe has been
0:03:47 > 0:03:51living the high life, all funded by making money through drugs.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Detective Inspector Julian Ball is giving his team
0:03:54 > 0:03:57a last minute update on what to look for.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00This has been a covert investigation for the past six months,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03which has focussed on drug dealing activities of individuals
0:04:03 > 0:04:05based in South Wales and Kent.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08This morning, we're looking to execute a number of warrants,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10both here in South Wales and down in Kent.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13As you're aware, we have a number of officers down there.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16We're looking to execute two warrants within our region
0:04:16 > 0:04:18and also three within Kent.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21We're looking to go through the doors approximately 6.30,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23so in about 20 minutes.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26And Julian's officers will be looking for any evidence
0:04:26 > 0:04:27of extravagant wealth.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30It is an added bonus when we search the premises
0:04:30 > 0:04:35to identify hidden assets or property, jewellery, cash,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38so we have the appropriate staff there
0:04:38 > 0:04:42to deal with any unexpected find that may occur today.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Today, Welsh police are looking to stop a man
0:04:48 > 0:04:52they think controls a large chunk of the drug trade.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Then, the financial investigators
0:04:54 > 0:04:57can start closing in on the money trail.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02The investigation has revealed
0:05:02 > 0:05:06that he's probably going to be the organiser down this way.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Many of the officers involved today are financial specialists.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15They catch crooks, then strip them of their assets and cash.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17We can't show the investigators' faces,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21but they've got the target in their sights ahead.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- This is it. See in the corner? The blue house?- Yes.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28When we go to a suspect's house and we go through the door,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30we're looking for documents, paperwork,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32anything that will link them to assets.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Could be one word or one phone number
0:05:34 > 0:05:37or one code written on a piece of paper.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Anything that shows a trail for where the money's gone.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42They are just outside an address
0:05:42 > 0:05:44where they believe the suspect lives.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45- Ready?- Yup.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Once inside, they will look for evidence of drug dealing.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53But they will also be looking very closely for any signs of wealth.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56The team plan to make a very fast entry into the house,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59so there is no chance to destroy evidence.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03CHAINSAW
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Now for a thorough search.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16The suspect doesn't appear to be home,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- but he could be hiding anywhere. - Get out! Clear!
0:06:18 > 0:06:23The team will go through every room. They want to make that arrest
0:06:23 > 0:06:24and search for evidence.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Our main objective is to recover criminal assets.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Somebody must have benefitted from the criminality,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35so we're mainly looking at crimes where people are making money
0:06:35 > 0:06:38and they're living off that criminality, so drug dealers,
0:06:38 > 0:06:43fraudsters, money launderers, armed robbers, people who steal
0:06:43 > 0:06:46or break the law, commit crime, in order to make money.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49If they're rich with assets, but don't go to work for a living,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51where's the money come from?
0:06:51 > 0:06:54A full search reveals the suspect is not home,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56but the police aren't giving up.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59They've spent a long time investigating their suspect
0:06:59 > 0:07:02and want to check if he has fled to other addresses he's linked to.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04We owe it to the public actually
0:07:04 > 0:07:06to be targeting these individuals
0:07:06 > 0:07:09who sometimes are seen as untouchable, but they're not.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15And whilst the team in Wales search,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17more officers are raiding houses in London.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21The dealers have a sizeable network of associates and police believe
0:07:21 > 0:07:26it could be supplying a large proportion of drugs every year.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28No-one wants to give up.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Meanwhile, back in Wales,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33they're still searching for the suspected drug dealer.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35We're going to make our way down now
0:07:35 > 0:07:38to other family members' addresses now.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43Just to see whether or not there's any activity there.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49The team arrive at another address the suspect is linked to.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52No need for a chainsaw. The door is already open.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57This time, the police have found their suspect inside.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Now officers will search the address for signs of drugs, money,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04or expensive assets that they believe were bought with
0:08:04 > 0:08:06money made illegally.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08This is the man they have been after this morning.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12And with financial investigators looking at his assets right now,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15he may not be the only thing being taken away today.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Police believe their suspect
0:08:23 > 0:08:25is a major local player on the drug scene,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28so will be searching anywhere he may have a stash.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34There's nothing found in the car, but the story doesn't end here.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Officers are about to make a discovery
0:08:36 > 0:08:38that shows the man they've arrested
0:08:38 > 0:08:40is living well above his obvious means.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46Proceeds of Crime auctions
0:08:46 > 0:08:49sell anything the police seize from criminals,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53from expensive jewellery to designer shoes and even works of art.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57And some items have a remarkable story behind them.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03This is the Golem, a pleasure cruiser built with families in mind.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07It's not the sort of item you'd expect a crook to blow his money on.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09But it was snapped up by two Dutchmen
0:09:09 > 0:09:12who saw how it could be the perfect boat
0:09:12 > 0:09:15to help them commit a massive international crime.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19But how does this yacht come to be in a Proceeds of Crime auction?
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Matt Rivers is a regional manager at the National Crime Agency
0:09:23 > 0:09:26in Dover and he works alongside Border Force,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28investigating how crooks are making money.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33The Border Force remit is to protect the coastline of the UK
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and part of that is general patrolling.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Sometimes, it will be intelligence-led operations
0:09:40 > 0:09:42and sometimes will be preventive operations.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49It was the 31st of August 2015 and Border Force were doing
0:09:49 > 0:09:52routine surveillance on the Dover coastline.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53They spotted a cruising yacht
0:09:53 > 0:09:57that was sailing through the Channel and listing heavily to one side.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00This raised both safety concerns and suspicion,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04so a Border Force cutter intercepted the boat, as the light was fading.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07What you're looking for in any intercept,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09be that at an airport, a port, or on a boat,
0:10:09 > 0:10:11is inconsistencies in story,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14nervousness from the people travelling, and anything
0:10:14 > 0:10:18that just puts the hairs on the back of your neck on stand
0:10:18 > 0:10:20and you think - there's something wrong here.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24What they found was two men,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Hendrik Brugmans and Raymond Aalders.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29And the more they questioned them,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32the more their story about why they were sailing the boat
0:10:32 > 0:10:34did not seem to add up.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Brugmans has been resident in the Caribbean for
0:10:37 > 0:10:41a number of years, between eight and ten years, with his wife.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44He's an experienced sailor.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Aalders, the crewman, as I would call him - unemployed Dutch male.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Brugmans had come from Martinique
0:10:51 > 0:10:53and Aalders, the crewman as it were,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57had said he'd come from Curacao, and the stamps on the passports
0:10:57 > 0:10:59didn't add up to the story they were giving.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01So yes, there were small identifiers,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03but when you start adding them all up,
0:11:03 > 0:11:08you get to a position where you think there might be a suspect here.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Investigators discovered that the men had sailed all the way
0:11:11 > 0:11:16from the Caribbean to Europe, a journey of over 4,000 miles.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17With the weather closing in,
0:11:17 > 0:11:21it was decided the best thing to do was to escort Golem in to shore,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24to further investigate the men and search the vessel.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Mark Jefferson is team leader
0:11:25 > 0:11:28for the Border Force's Deep Rummage team.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32He got the call and made his way as quickly as possible to Dover.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34He realised he was going to have a busy day,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36searching for anything squirreled away on the boat.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39We can search high, we can search low, we can go into confined
0:11:39 > 0:11:43spaces, because of all the equipment that we have.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Mark deployed his team,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48suspicious that there was something hidden on board.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50I think one of the reasons that they were
0:11:50 > 0:11:55a bit suspicious about this particular yacht
0:11:55 > 0:12:00was the quite considerable list that it had to one side.
0:12:00 > 0:12:01I split the team up into pairs.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05They started their systematic searches
0:12:05 > 0:12:08and the first call that I got from one of the guys
0:12:08 > 0:12:14that something was amiss was a detection of cocaine
0:12:14 > 0:12:18underneath a false base of a bench seat
0:12:18 > 0:12:21on what is like the wheelhouse.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23They carried on with their search.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25They didn't know it yet,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28but they were about to make the find of a lifetime.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30The reason the boat was listing heavily
0:12:30 > 0:12:33was because one side was stuffed with cocaine.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37With a huge quantity of cocaine now discovered,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39they were convinced there was still more to find.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40One detection like that
0:12:40 > 0:12:44doesn't stop the rest of the searches going on
0:12:44 > 0:12:48and before too long, there was another detection made
0:12:48 > 0:12:51in the false bulkhead at the back of a wardrobe.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Incredibly, they went on to discover
0:12:55 > 0:12:59an even larger concealment in the wheelhouse.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Another stash of cocaine in the false base of a large bench seat.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06And then they found that the freshwater tanks had been
0:13:06 > 0:13:09customised, in order to store massive amounts of uncut product.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Certainly from our viewpoint, from what we saw, it looked to be
0:13:16 > 0:13:20a pretty professional attempt at
0:13:20 > 0:13:24smuggling cocaine into Europe.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Meanwhile, National Crime Agency officers were interviewing Brugmans
0:13:27 > 0:13:31and Aalders to corroborate why they had found cocaine on the vessel.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Although, at this stage of the investigation,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37both suspects were keeping tight-lipped about the discovery.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40But Border Force officers knew the men had sailed
0:13:40 > 0:13:44one of the largest ever cocaine finds into British waters.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49I think in interview later, Brugmans said he knew something wasn't right.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Well, latterly, the jury said no, he knew exactly what was going on.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54But yes, you need an experienced sailor.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57He's going to have an idea what's going on, at the very least,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00but he'll know what's going on. Our role is, I say, twofold really.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03To investigate and look at the people we have in front of us,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06so the couriers. Another part of our role is to look, as we'd say,
0:14:06 > 0:14:07upstream and downstream.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Who is supplying the drugs, where are the drugs being financed by,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and where are the drugs going to
0:14:12 > 0:14:17and who will be not necessarily the end user but the wholesaler?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23So now, officers were confronted with a boat full of cocaine,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26two deeply suspicious Dutch nationals,
0:14:26 > 0:14:30and a possible organised crime gang with their fingerprints all over
0:14:30 > 0:14:33what looked like an international drug dealing operation.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37And the search team were now ready to add up how much cocaine
0:14:37 > 0:14:38they had found.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40The amount was amazing.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46We were shocked at the actual quantity that was found.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50It was something in the region of 1.2 tonnes,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54and that is a lot of weight, a lot of gear to hide.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57It's a fantastic result for Border Force,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59but for the National Crime Agency,
0:14:59 > 0:15:04the Proceeds of Crime investigation has only now just started.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07If these drugs had been cut and distributed by street dealers
0:15:07 > 0:15:13in the UK, the hoard would have fetched an astonishing £120 million.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17That is an awful lot of money, yeah. A big investment,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19which is why the NCA obviously get involved
0:15:19 > 0:15:22because it's serious organised crime behind this.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24So once the case has been completed and finalised,
0:15:24 > 0:15:29then the boat is released and, through an approved process,
0:15:29 > 0:15:34can be sold and the benefits of that sale will go to the Treasury.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37And that means that this beautiful boat is up for sale.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40It's now moored on the UK mainland, but later on in the programme,
0:15:40 > 0:15:45we'll see it sold here at the auction for the best possible price.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Dealers are the only winners
0:15:50 > 0:15:53when people buy drugs like heroin or cocaine.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Sometimes, drug dealers can make you think they're your best friend.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Drugs can wreck lives and, across the UK,
0:16:03 > 0:16:07thousands of people are currently receiving treatment for drug abuse.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Passmores House drug rehabilitation centre
0:16:09 > 0:16:14works closely with drug users to help them beat their addiction.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Tracy works here at the rehabilitation centre,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20helping drug users. She's a former addict herself.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23And after her experiences, Tracy thinks it's vital that
0:16:23 > 0:16:27dealers get stripped of their cash when they are caught.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31I met my ex-husband, I'm still legally married to him...
0:16:31 > 0:16:35I met him, I was coming on 17.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41He seemed like everything that...would fix my life.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43So, he was 6'1",
0:16:43 > 0:16:48he had loads of tattoos, he was quite a big character,
0:16:48 > 0:16:53and he noticed me, being a shy, timid, quite a...
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Yeah, a girl that was bullied at school, really.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58And he became my world.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Tracy was besotted, but there was a downside.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Her new boyfriend pushed her into trying drugs.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08I'll never forget when he first rolled a joint in front of me.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12I don't even smoke. And it was like, "Oh, my God! What are you doing?!"
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And he was like, "What do you mean what am I doing?"
0:17:15 > 0:17:18And he was like quite condescending. "It's only a bit of puff."
0:17:18 > 0:17:23And I was like... I sat there, amazed, thinking, "Oh, my God!"
0:17:23 > 0:17:25But I'd already given him my heart. I'd already loved him.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28I was 17, quite naive.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Tracy soon started smoking her boyfriend's cannabis
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and as their relationship flourished, she fell pregnant.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35After the pregnancy,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39her partner introduced her to highly addictive new drugs.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41It was after I had my daughter
0:17:41 > 0:17:45that I then couldn't get rid of the baby fat and all the rest of it
0:17:45 > 0:17:47and I was quite paranoid,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50and I started amphetamines.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54And Tracy's partner soon pushed her into using an even worse drug,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56but she didn't realise what she was getting in to.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58I didn't really know about heroin.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02I didn't really know about puff, but heroin I didn't know about.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Didn't know you could physically get addicted to it.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08You know? I just done it a couple of days.
0:18:08 > 0:18:14Within a week, I'd done it every day, and then the next week,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I'm starting to sneeze a little bit and to ache.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19There wasn't no drugs there.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23And I remember saying, "I feel a little bit ill. Do you feel ill?"
0:18:23 > 0:18:26And he was like, "Well, you know why we're ill, don't you?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29"It's the heroin, you know. We're physically addicted."
0:18:29 > 0:18:32And I was like, "No way." So he'd got me just like that.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37And Tracy believed the heroin was helping her.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It enabled me to sleep, it enabled me to -
0:18:42 > 0:18:45when he did throw, I don't know...
0:18:45 > 0:18:48When he was verbally abusive to me,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50it was like I had a blanket or...I don't know,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53they call it Ready Brek glow or something like that.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58The comments hurt, but they didn't hurt. They bounced off.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03So I coped a lot better, and slept and sort of could function,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07half, being a mum, and it calmed him down.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08So it worked.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Now Tracy works at the centre,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18she helps others learn how to handle drugs and beat their addiction.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22It's a way to do something positive after she turned to crime
0:19:22 > 0:19:25to help her get money to pay drug dealers.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30I would then go shoplifting and shamelessly push a pram around and
0:19:30 > 0:19:33do shoplifting with my daughter, you know,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35which is really quite shameful to admit.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37When Tracy hit rock bottom,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40she started selling drugs to feed her habit.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41Inevitably, she met up with
0:19:41 > 0:19:43heavyweight drug dealers in her area.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46People that were above me and him really.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48They didn't care really.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51As they was coming, dropping off their drugs,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54picking up their money, they didn't care.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57And I look back now and I think what mugs we were, really.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59I thought I was living a brilliant life.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I didn't have to go out shoplifting any more.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03But yeah.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07But you pay a heavy price for that because my daughter was there,
0:20:07 > 0:20:12my house got busted, raided, the shame, um...
0:20:12 > 0:20:14yeah, of police coming in to your house
0:20:14 > 0:20:16and going through your bits
0:20:16 > 0:20:19and, like, my daughter there, crying, you know?
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Yeah, quite shameful.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Tracy ended up with a conviction and jail time.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Yeah, it's the most scariest thing that I've ever done,
0:20:28 > 0:20:29you know, go to prison.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Tracy is now free of drugs and she has no doubt
0:20:33 > 0:20:35that drug dealers should be stripped of the money
0:20:35 > 0:20:39and expensive property they only got from selling their poison.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Hit them where it hurts. Big people up there.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Not a poor addict that's homeless and scrimping and scraping to
0:20:45 > 0:20:50get £1.50 to get a bottle of cider or to get £10 together to get a hit.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52You know? Think about those people.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Proceeds of Crime auctions will sell off items great and small.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03They could be worth tens of thousands or a few hundred quid.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06But there's always a reason why they are there.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Auction houses like this are open to the public
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and even offer people the option of bidding online.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16From gold watches and fancy jewellery
0:21:16 > 0:21:20to paintings off the walls and shoes off their feet,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23all the items are from criminals and proceeds of crime.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30This mini motorbike belonged to a man named Tommy Holdsworth,
0:21:30 > 0:21:31but now, it's up for sale
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and our Proceeds of Crime expert, Mick Beattie,
0:21:34 > 0:21:36can tell us why.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38In the case of Tommy Holdsworth,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41he was a burglar who burgled the house of
0:21:41 > 0:21:44a friend's girlfriend by stealing her keys,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47letting himself into the house and stealing the safe,
0:21:47 > 0:21:51which contained some cash and jewellery, which he later
0:21:51 > 0:21:56used to purchase a particular bike he'd been after for some time.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Having been arrested or identified as being potentially
0:21:59 > 0:22:02responsible for that offence, he denied the offence.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04The safe was found near to his house
0:22:04 > 0:22:07and the investigators were able to unpick his story
0:22:07 > 0:22:09of how he'd come by the money
0:22:09 > 0:22:13to such an extent that the courts convicted him of the burglary.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Once Tommy Holdsworth was convicted and sentenced for the crime,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20the bike that he bought with the stolen cash was seized
0:22:20 > 0:22:23and it can now be sold at auction to the highest bidder.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28Wherever the items have come from or why they are here,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31the people that come to these auctions are looking for a bargain.
0:22:31 > 0:22:339,000.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Aidan Larkin runs the auctions, so how much money does he think
0:22:37 > 0:22:39they'll recover from this quirky little bike?
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Motorbikes like that, for some people they're a fun toy,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45they're a collectible for children, but there's always
0:22:45 > 0:22:48a strong market for anything like that - quad bikes, pit bikes market.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50We always find in these types of auctions,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52the type of person that's going to buy the car
0:22:52 > 0:22:53might buy that for their son
0:22:53 > 0:22:55or they might be here to buy a watch for themselves,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58so that's why we try and offer a bit of a variety of items.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Some of the proceeds from the sale of the bike will go back to
0:23:01 > 0:23:04the Government and get spent on good causes.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Aidan has an idea of what they might get for it.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09There's lots of industry guide prices available,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11so it's quite easy for vehicles particularly to be able
0:23:11 > 0:23:14to say what are they selling for across the UK
0:23:14 > 0:23:16and then we can use that as our guide before the auction.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Of course, not everyone knows when there's
0:23:19 > 0:23:21a Proceeds of Crime auction coming up,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24but Aidan will work the room to get the best price for the bike.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26There's been a big bit of interest, but, like I say,
0:23:26 > 0:23:27it is a bit of a novelty item,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30so we're probably talking a couple of hundred pounds,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32as opposed to anything to set the world on fire really.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Hopefully, Aidan can do a bit better than that. Let's have a look.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Lot number 16 in your catalogue now.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41The CW1-10 pit bike with the Red Bull logos.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Interesting little lot, this, for sale with no reserve.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Where are we on the pit bike? £50, I'll take that.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52At £50. Bid in at £50. That's £50. 100. At 100. £150.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Aidan is working the crowd.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- It's his job to get the best price for the bike.- 225.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Gentleman's bid at 225.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04250 online. At £250 online.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06With me online. £250. 275 seated.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10Gentleman's bid at £275.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13At £275. 300 online.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16It's against you, sir. At £300 with the online bidder.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20At £300 with the online bidder. Give you time to think about it.
0:24:20 > 0:24:26£300. And the hammer's up and I'm selling at £300. 325.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29It's back in the hall. At £325 with the hall bidder.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32At 325, giving the same chance online.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35350 against you. At £350.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Shakes the head. At £350 with the online bidder.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41And the hammer's up and I'm selling once...
0:24:41 > 0:24:42twice...
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- third and last. - BANGS GAVEL
0:24:44 > 0:24:46- Sold online. Thank you. - Aidan's done well.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49100 quid more than expected, but still a bargain price.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Mini motorbikes like that one can be a bit of fun,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59but they can also be a problem if children ride them antisocially,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01so in one forward-looking town,
0:25:01 > 0:25:05they're using the money raised in Proceeds of Crime sales
0:25:05 > 0:25:07to make bad biking a thing of the past.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14Trying to keep children off the street is a job taken
0:25:14 > 0:25:18very seriously here in Birstall, a small village near Leeds.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Police have worked with the local community to help fund
0:25:22 > 0:25:24a charity called Bumpy.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32And as a result of their work, the children arriving on this bus
0:25:32 > 0:25:33are about to benefit from money
0:25:33 > 0:25:35raised in Proceeds of Crime auctions.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41We were riding on pavement and police drove past
0:25:41 > 0:25:43and gave us a warning.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46We were all going round on this, like, roundabout
0:25:46 > 0:25:50on my mate's motorbike and then cut out and walked down the street
0:25:50 > 0:25:53a little bit and the police said that there were complaints
0:25:53 > 0:25:55about an orange motorbike.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Local police and charity workers decided they could find something
0:26:02 > 0:26:05better than roaming the streets on two wheels for children to do.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08We're just trying to teach them the real basics and fundamentals,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12helmets, protective gear, so they don't hurt themselves and they know
0:26:12 > 0:26:16the difference between where they can ride and where they can't ride.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17CHILDREN LAUGH
0:26:17 > 0:26:20The sessions start with some basic safety training,
0:26:20 > 0:26:24something the children don't always bother with without encouragement.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26But it's important.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Since 2004, seven people have been killed riding mini motorbikes
0:26:30 > 0:26:33and six of them were under 15.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37So using Proceeds of Crime money to teach children good practice
0:26:37 > 0:26:38could be saving lives.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45The scheme has just received nearly £5,000 from twice-elected
0:26:45 > 0:26:49local Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52We've got some young lads here today who have been identified as
0:26:52 > 0:26:55being at risk of committing crime
0:26:55 > 0:26:58or antisocial behaviour through off-road biking.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Got the neighbourhood police team here,
0:27:00 > 0:27:05and for me to be able to provide a grant from the proceeds of crime
0:27:05 > 0:27:07to put into this project is fantastic
0:27:07 > 0:27:12and is exactly what I envisaged when I was elected - to set up this fund.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Seeing the scheme do so much to help children is
0:27:16 > 0:27:18a particular pleasure for Carolyn.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22It was her sister, Julia, who set up the original scheme in the '80s.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Julia has since passed away, but Carolyn is determined to keep
0:27:26 > 0:27:30running the scheme and carry on her sister's good work.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I feel really proud that the work that Julia set out to do
0:27:33 > 0:27:3927 years ago, we're still here despite funding cuts,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43we're still working at grassroots, working with the police
0:27:43 > 0:27:46and young people that could be involved in crime.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50And the nearly £5,000 from proceeds of crime is what's helped
0:27:50 > 0:27:51keep them going.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Bumpy stood out because it's got a proven track record,
0:27:55 > 0:27:59interaction with the local police team, they're giving up their time,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03and they're making a real impact in improving community safety.
0:28:03 > 0:28:04They're here today,
0:28:04 > 0:28:08which is positive, and they're perhaps not causing
0:28:08 > 0:28:13a nuisance in some of the areas out in Leeds, but obviously,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15if they can learn around the safety,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18the impact that they're having as individuals
0:28:18 > 0:28:20and in their community,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24and that it contributes to better safety for them
0:28:24 > 0:28:28and the community when they go back home today.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33And the children may not realise it, but it's cash from
0:28:33 > 0:28:37criminals that's being used to give them something fun to do.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41I like coming to work with them and everything
0:28:41 > 0:28:44and they're not telling us off for driving a motorbike.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47It's really good fun to learn the proper way.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50It's a good experience cos when I'm older,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52it means I can go to more tracks.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Across the UK,
0:28:58 > 0:29:02crooks have lost millions of pounds after having their illegally-made
0:29:02 > 0:29:06cash seized from them, but actually taking a criminal's assets
0:29:06 > 0:29:09can often require a major operation by the police.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Earlier on, we saw how officers in Wales were launching
0:29:14 > 0:29:17an operation to arrest a suspected drug dealer.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21Specialist financial investigators from Wales' Tarian crime group
0:29:21 > 0:29:23are also on the operation.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26They believe that the suspect might have large sums of cash
0:29:26 > 0:29:30hidden away and expensive assets he's only got as a result
0:29:30 > 0:29:32of making money through crime,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35and now the suspect has been arrested,
0:29:35 > 0:29:37they're looking for vital evidence.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40Police believe he has use of this vehicle,
0:29:40 > 0:29:41parked near the property,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45but a search hasn't revealed anything in the car.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Both houses he's linked to are being searched.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Financial investigators are looking for any clue indicating
0:29:51 > 0:29:53an expensive lifestyle and finally,
0:29:53 > 0:29:57the Tarian team have found something in plain sight.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Looks like it won't just be the dealer
0:29:59 > 0:30:02who is going to be taken away from the property.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05These are quad bikes and they're not an everyday item.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09The Tarian team believe they are worth over £12,000.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13They'll be seized and financial investigators will require
0:30:13 > 0:30:17the suspect to explain where the money came from to buy these items.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20If it is necessary and we think that you are going to go and sell
0:30:20 > 0:30:24all those items, take them out of the UK, hide them from us or
0:30:24 > 0:30:29get rid of them, we will seize them because we have the power to do so.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Several hours later, and Detective Inspector Julian Ball has updates
0:30:32 > 0:30:37from all the other police operations that were happening simultaneously.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Our enforcement action today has been highly successful.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42We have six persons in custody.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44A number of addresses have been searched across
0:30:44 > 0:30:47both the South Wales region and also the South East of England.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51And this has resulted in the arrests which I've alluded to,
0:30:51 > 0:30:54but also, we've identified a number of assets which we were
0:30:54 > 0:30:59previously unaware of, in the region of £300,000 hidden in bank accounts,
0:30:59 > 0:31:03and also a number of properties which we weren't aware of.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04Together with this,
0:31:04 > 0:31:07we've seized a number of high value vehicles as well.
0:31:07 > 0:31:08So, all in all, a very good day.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11Following questioning,
0:31:11 > 0:31:15six men in both countries pleaded guilty to drugs offences.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19As a result, the Tarian team may force them to sell their assets
0:31:19 > 0:31:22to pay back money they made by selling drugs.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28You don't have to be a drug dealer to come under suspicion of
0:31:28 > 0:31:31a Proceeds of Crime investigation.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Any type of fraud will put you under the spotlight,
0:31:34 > 0:31:36but when it comes to buying property,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40some people think they've found a clever way to beat the system.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44When someone is found to have benefitted from criminal acts,
0:31:44 > 0:31:48the court system determines how much money they must pay back.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52The job of actually making sure that money gets paid is done by
0:31:52 > 0:31:56specialist officers, known as the Asset Confiscation Enforcement Team.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00In Wales, the Tarian unit have their own officers dedicated to
0:32:00 > 0:32:01just this job.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04And that's what's happening for convicted mortgage fraudster
0:32:04 > 0:32:09Dean Ahmed, who was sentenced to two years and eight months in 2014.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13He made over £750,000 by making false mortgage applications that
0:32:13 > 0:32:16allowed him to buy properties across Wales,
0:32:16 > 0:32:20whilst also claiming benefits from Cardiff Council.
0:32:20 > 0:32:25Basically, he'd committed a large number of frauds over several years
0:32:25 > 0:32:29and from that, he'd amassed quite a substantial property portfolio.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34And mortgage fraud is on the rise.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37Solicitor Joseph Monson is a specialist
0:32:37 > 0:32:40who has seen cases like this before.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44A mortgage fraud is simply a lie or a misrepresentation,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47as a lawyer would call it, in order to get finance,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50usually on a mortgage application.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53So it's simply saying the wrong amount of money that you earn
0:32:53 > 0:32:56each year or saying that you have a different job or
0:32:56 > 0:32:58a different family situation.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Well, that could be regarded as a mortgage fraud at the lower end.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02At the more extreme end,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05you have multiple mortgages on the same property at the same time,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09you have the buyer and the seller being the same person,
0:33:09 > 0:33:11illegitimately, without telling the mortgage lender,
0:33:11 > 0:33:16or in this case, a misstatement or a frankly false identity.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19What Dean Ahmed had done was
0:33:19 > 0:33:22to cunningly fool mortgage companies
0:33:22 > 0:33:24into giving him a small fortune.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28He'd used false details or used, in one case at least,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32the identity of a previous partner of his to obtain mortgages,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35obviously mortgages that he wouldn't have been entitled to
0:33:35 > 0:33:37had he used the correct information.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39And whilst living the life of a property mogul,
0:33:39 > 0:33:43he was telling the local authority he needed financial support.
0:33:43 > 0:33:44For a number of years,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46he was claiming unemployment benefit
0:33:46 > 0:33:48and because of his property portfolio,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51he was obviously receiving rental income from that.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53However, he wasn't declaring that,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55which wouldn't have allowed him then
0:33:55 > 0:33:57to legitimately claim unemployment benefit.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01He'd built himself up quite a substantial property empire.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Some of these properties were in Cardiff,
0:34:03 > 0:34:07some were down in West Wales, in the form of a holiday chalet,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09and he also had properties over in Spain as well.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12But following his trial,
0:34:12 > 0:34:14a judge ordered Dean Ahmed to pay back
0:34:14 > 0:34:17around a quarter of a million pounds to the state
0:34:17 > 0:34:21because the ACE Team believed he had that much in assets.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26So far, he has sold off one property for roughly £143,000,
0:34:26 > 0:34:28but as part of their investigation,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31the ACE Team spotted something else he owns.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42This is Port Eynon, a popular seaside resort in Wales,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and convicted fraudster Dean Ahmed owns a chalet here.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49So, Barrie and the ACE Team are forcing him to sell it and
0:34:49 > 0:34:52return the money, but Dean Ahmed is chancing his arm.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56He wants the chalet sold for big money to clear his debt,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59but is Port Eynon a big money property town?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02The property market as far as Gower's concerned does tend to be
0:35:02 > 0:35:05quite seasonal, especially if you're talking about the chalets,
0:35:05 > 0:35:07which are normally eight or nine-month occupancy,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09you have to be empty for three or four months.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13They can be very popular for holiday letting out.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18At the same time, there's a fair choice, so if you're looking
0:35:18 > 0:35:21to sell, you need to be quite realistic with your expectations.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27So, Port Eynon has a buoyant property market,
0:35:27 > 0:35:28but there's a problem.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32Fraudster Dean Ahmed has asked for his home to be advertised for
0:35:32 > 0:35:35nearly £90,000, most of what he still owes,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38but Barrie suspects it's not worth that much.
0:35:40 > 0:35:46£90,000 for a property of that type is completely unachievable.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49And I would definitely say that £50,000 is
0:35:49 > 0:35:53a more accurate price for a property of that type in that area.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55And the property expert agrees.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Normally, two bedroom properties range from £40,000 to £50,000.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Sometimes, you can get a fraction more, but really that's the sort of
0:36:01 > 0:36:03main range for those that don't have...
0:36:03 > 0:36:05have a standard accommodation.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08If it's got a very nice view, you may get a fraction more,
0:36:08 > 0:36:10but normally £40,000 to £50,000.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Barrie and the ACE Team think there's no point
0:36:14 > 0:36:18advertising the property with agents at £90,000
0:36:18 > 0:36:20and they've taken action.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23They've put the chalet into an unreserved auction.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27It will be sold for whatever the room wants to pay on the day.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31It'll be a miracle if it sells for the 90,000 that Dean Ahmed wants.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Kick things off at £40,000.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37It's away at £40,000. Take 5. At £40,000. 45.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Bid is 45,000. It's 50 with me.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41It's in the hall, it's with me, it's 50,000.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44It's with the written bid, it's £50,000.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46Well, following the bidding,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48it looks like the chalet has been sold,
0:36:48 > 0:36:50but for just under £50,000,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53so there was no auction miracle for Dean Ahmed.
0:36:53 > 0:36:54£50,000, I would say,
0:36:54 > 0:36:58is a realistic price for that property being sold for.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02Naturally, the police are pleased to get the chalet sold, but Dean Ahmed
0:37:02 > 0:37:06has been told he has to find a total of nearly £250,000,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08so there's still a large outstanding balance
0:37:08 > 0:37:12and the police will chase him for as long as it takes.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17As the ACE Team, we will continually monitor and review cases
0:37:17 > 0:37:20within our jurisdiction,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23looking continually to identify further assets,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25and if we do come across further assets,
0:37:25 > 0:37:27there is a system in place from which we can
0:37:27 > 0:37:30actually go back to the court and inform the court
0:37:30 > 0:37:32and look to recover that outstanding money.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Some criminals throw their money at expensive items,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40like jewellery or cars to show off in,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44but others spend big money to help them commit crimes.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47All that matters to police is that they seize the assets
0:37:47 > 0:37:49and sell them off.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Earlier on, we saw how a very expensive item
0:37:52 > 0:37:54was seized by the Government.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57When Border Force officers spotted a suspicious boat
0:37:57 > 0:38:01sailing through British waters, they immediately intercepted it.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05As they moved in, they knew something was wrong,
0:38:05 > 0:38:09but they didn't realise how serious a find they were about to make.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15Their cutter ship pulled up to the 52ft yacht they had spotted.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Its name was the Golem and, bizarrely,
0:38:17 > 0:38:19it was listing to one side.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Officers boarded the vessel, not sure what to expect.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27The search revealed the boat had been modified.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30Various compartments had been built into the walls
0:38:30 > 0:38:32and concealed inside them.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35What the team discovered was an astounding amount of Class A drugs.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44The estimated street value we would put on it - around £120 million.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46That is an awful lot of money, yeah.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49A big investment, which is why the NCA obviously get involved,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52because it's serious organised crime behind this.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55It was one of the cleverest concealments the search team
0:38:55 > 0:39:00had ever seen - false walls hiding millions of pounds worth of cocaine.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05The two men on board were later given huge jail sentences
0:39:05 > 0:39:08and whilst they sit in jail, their boat is now to be sold
0:39:08 > 0:39:12at a Proceeds of Crime auction, and the money given to the Government.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14There's the putting people in prison,
0:39:14 > 0:39:17which some criminals will see as an occupational hazard,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20and we also need to take the assets away.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23So, crime doesn't pay. But also, it is about hitting criminals in the pocket.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Criminals commit crime to gain assets, to gain money.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28And part of Proceeds of Crime Act
0:39:28 > 0:39:31and part of law enforcement activity
0:39:31 > 0:39:35is to take those assets, take that money and turn it around.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37We have been instructed by a government agency
0:39:37 > 0:39:39to sell the Golem.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41The Golem was a 57ft sailing yacht
0:39:41 > 0:39:45and it contained a large amount of cocaine and other Class A drugs.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48It was seized by the agencies and it's now been given to us
0:39:48 > 0:39:51to sell, put it into the auction, and try at achieve the highest
0:39:51 > 0:39:54price possible, for that money to go back into the public purse.
0:39:54 > 0:39:55We find that those items,
0:39:55 > 0:39:58it really doesn't matter where you offer them for sale.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Someone that wants to buy that anywhere across the UK,
0:40:00 > 0:40:03even as far as France and Germany, will bid online.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06So, the actual location of the bidder is irrelevant.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08As long as they find the product they want, they'll fly across,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11inspect the item, and then wait until the actual auction
0:40:11 > 0:40:12this evening, and bid on the item.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18The auction house is full and many bidders have registered
0:40:18 > 0:40:20from right across the world.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23It's the group asset recovery manager's job to make sure
0:40:23 > 0:40:26he can get as much money as possible for the Government
0:40:26 > 0:40:28by selling the boat at a good price.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Lot number 75 is the Nordia 57ft sailing yacht, the Golem.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Affirmative press, it's a spectacular-looking vessel.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36It's been recovered by the Home Office.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38We've been engaged now to sell this
0:40:38 > 0:40:40and put money back into the public purse.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42This could be a fantastic investment.
0:40:42 > 0:40:43It's here to be sold, with no reserve.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45There's a fair bit of online activity
0:40:45 > 0:40:48and a couple of phone bids, we're just getting ready.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Because the drug smugglers refitted the boat to stash the cocaine,
0:40:51 > 0:40:55it's reduced the value down to an estimated £75,000.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59So, what will an open market be prepared to pay for this boat?
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Kick things off at £40,000.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04It's away at £40,000. Taking fives. At £40,000. 45.
0:41:04 > 0:41:0655 online.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07It's with me at 60.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11At £60,000 with the commission bid.
0:41:11 > 0:41:1465. With me, online bidder at 65. 70 with the commission bid.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18With online bidders joining in from around the world,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21the price is slowly beginning to rise.
0:41:21 > 0:41:2472. Took your time. 74, with me, another online bidder.
0:41:24 > 0:41:30At £76,000, on the Golem, at £76,000. 78. We're taking our time.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33At 78,000. Bid at 78,000.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36A 57ft sailing yacht.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40At £78,000. At £78,000. 80.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43At £80,000. At £80,000.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48On the Golem, at £80,000. Sounds like a great investment. At £80,000.
0:41:49 > 0:41:5282. Bid at 82,000.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55At £82,000. Is there any last minute bids in the hall?
0:41:55 > 0:41:59At 82,000. At £82,000. Bid at 82,000.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03At £82,000. The hammer's up. At 86,000.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Once, at 86,000.
0:42:07 > 0:42:0988.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Testing me. The hammer wasn't down. At £90,000.
0:42:14 > 0:42:19£90,000 so far for a family yacht used to traffic cocaine
0:42:19 > 0:42:23with an estimated street value of £120 million.
0:42:24 > 0:42:29And at £94,000 and the hammer's up. At £94,000. 95.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31At 95,000.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Do you wait until I say the hammer's up?
0:42:34 > 0:42:39At £95,000. 96. Picking up pace now.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40At £96,000.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Once.
0:42:42 > 0:42:47Going to miss it. At £96,000 twice. Third and last.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49- BANGS GAVEL - Sold online. Well done.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51The sailors on board this yacht
0:42:51 > 0:42:54were sentenced to more than 30 years in prison
0:42:54 > 0:42:57and now their boat has raised £96,000,
0:42:57 > 0:43:00which will be paid back into the Treasury.
0:43:00 > 0:43:01We were very pleased with that.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04We had a large online presence bidding on the Golem.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07We knew, we can always gauge these things because of the people
0:43:07 > 0:43:09who come to view the items before the auction,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11so you get a good feeling for how it was going to do,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13but we were very pleased to see it reach the higher end
0:43:13 > 0:43:16of our reserve, and get right up towards the £100,000.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Even when criminals are behind bars,
0:43:20 > 0:43:22they're still paying off their debt to society.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25And when they come out, if they haven't cleared that debt,
0:43:25 > 0:43:29the police will continue to hunt down their ill gotten gains.