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London, 30 March/GNN/ -- ASSETS RECOVERY AGENCY News Release issued by The Government News Network on 30 March 2008 The Assets Recovery Agency has been granted a Civil Recovery Order to recover an es

This case was referred to ARA by Somerset and Avon Constabulary in March 2003
following Tomkins' conviction for conspiracy to traffick heroin for which he
received a five year prison sentence. As the Confiscation proceedings could
not be progressed due to procedural issues the case was referred to the Agency
to recover the proceeds of his criminal activity through the civil process.

In its case the Agency had alleged that Tomkins, a career criminal, had
obtained his assets through unlawful activity, namely drug trafficking, money
laundering and mortgage fraud. It further contended that his lifestyle and
property acquisitions far exceeded any lawful means of income.

As part of the terms of the agreed settlement with the Agency, Tomkins
retains a former local authority/council property at Cranmore Place, Odd
Down, St John, Bath including mortgage and any other liabilities together
with various personal assets worth =A330,000 and the Agency takes the remainder
of realisable assets. These include:

* The five bedroom family home at The Avenue, Timsbury, Bath;

* A nine-bed student let at Newbridge Road, Bath; and

* A residential property at Saxon Way, Peasedown, St John, Bath.

Charlie Dickin, ARA Deputy Director Operations commenting on the Agency's
latest successful settlement said: "This case is a clear reminder that the
extensive powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act are effective in taking
the profit out of crime.

"We want communities to know that their concerns about people profiting from
crime are being acted on and we want criminals to know that we, together
with our partners, are committed to vigorously pursue all those who attempt
to prosper from their criminal activities

"This is part of a continual stream of assets currently being taken out
of the hands of criminals, sold and the proceeds used for the benefit of
everyone in the community."

Dr Kirstie Cogram, Manager of the Financial Investigation Unit at Avon and
Somerset Constabulary said: " This case illustrates that Avon and Somerset
Police will be relentless in their use of the Proceeds of Crime Act to
deprive offenders of their ill-gotten gains, and by working in conjunction
with the Assets Recovery Agency and utilising their civil recovery powers,
the message is that crime does not and will not pay."

Notes to Editors

1. Any legal tenants residing in the property belonging to Mr Tomkins are
not connected to the criminality in this case.

2. The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 created the Assets Recovery Agency and
provided completely new powers to allow ARA to seek civil recovery of the
proceeds of unlawful activity by an action in the High Court. The Agency
can also issue tax assessments where there are reasonable grounds to suspect
that there is taxable income, gain or profit from criminal conduct.

3. On 31 October 2007, the Serious Crime Bill received Royal Assent. The
new Act will merge the operational elements of the Assets Recovery Agency
(ARA) with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), and the training
and accreditation functions with the National Policing Improvement Agency
(NPIA). It will also extend to certain prosecutors the power to launch civil
recovery action under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Until then ARA will
continue to operate as before and use its powers to the full in proceeding
to complete existing cases and adopt new cases for future action.

Media Enquiries contact 02890 893 999 or 07799115253

Assets Recovery Agency,
PO Box 39992
London EC4M 7XQ
T +44 (020) 7029 5700
F +44 (020) 7029 5706
E enquiries@ara.gsi.gov.uk

www.assetsrecovery.gov.uk

Source: Assets Recovery Agency

2008-03-30 09:06:20 0322580 PRNEWSWIRE