Operation Falcon continues to claw away at criminal finances

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

Greater Manchester Police's 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 the region, 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 brand-new dedicated money laundering unit, who work together with partners to tackle money laundering offences which is costs the UK billions of pounds each year.

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 Economic Crime Unit are dedicated to seizing this cash and taking away criminal finances.

Officers from GMP’s Money laundering team, with assistance from the 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.  

“The last tax 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.

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