Well now, here’s a new one: Police in Tameside, which is a metropolitan borough east of Manchester in the UK, are trying to send out a message to the community that crime doesn’t pay by…displaying a local drug dealers car outside an Ashton-under-Lyne police station.
The car in question is a latest generation white BMW M3 said to be worth around £45,000 (about US$71,000 / €52,000). The Bavarian sports model was confiscated from a drug dealer sentenced to two years and three months in prison earlier this year.
In a statement, Chief Superintendent Nick Adderley said: “It’s not fair that law-abiding citizens are trying hard to make ends meet while local criminals are driving round in luxury cars. We will continue to target these individuals and publicise the results for all the public to see.”
The police were able to take hold of the BMW under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) that allows officers to confiscate any cash or products worth more than £1,000 if they can prove it has “been made from or will be used to fund criminal activity”.
“The message is loud and clear,” said the Superintendent. “If you are involved in criminal activity look over your shoulder because we are coming to get you. We will put you before the courts and also hit you in the pocket where it hurts.”
Photo credits: Tameside Police
