The figure for confiscation of money has increased significantly in the last year for the police. So far in 2024, an increase of 32 per cent has been registered in the number of legal confiscations compared to the previous year, according to the police’s second quarterly report. The police have confiscated cash, houses, cars, watches, drugs and other things from criminals. – So far there is talk of NOK 423 million so far this year, says head of Økokrim Pål Lønseth to news. – It’s great, says Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl to news. – We know that many criminals operate in drug sales with violence as a consequence. We must stop making it profitable to engage in crime, she elaborates. – Is it a sign that there is more crime? – It is a sign that the police and those who work to stop the criminals are working effectively, Mehl replies. Vedum and Mehl want to lower the threshold for confiscating profits from criminals. Photo: Knut Are Tornås Positive development, but too low numbers Lønseth explains that the increase is linked to a greater focus on confiscation by the police, which gives good results. – When we take the profit, it will not be so attractive to engage in that crime, he explains. – What happens to the things the police confiscate? – The money goes into the treasury. When it comes to the confiscation of objects, it will either be destroyed or it will be realized through sale, where the money again goes into the treasury. When there is a final judgment, and criminal money is confiscated, the money basically benefits everyone. Økokrim boss Pål Lønseth says the increase in confiscations is a positive development. Photo: Mohammed Alayoubi Lønseth emphasizes that it is a global challenge that the numbers are still too low. – At European level, Europol estimates that only 4 percent of the profit generated by criminal networks is actually confiscated. That is obviously far too low. Promises ten measures The government wants to change the regulations, in order to lower the threshold for confiscating profits from criminals. Lønseth in Økokrim is also positive about that. Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum promises ten measures to stop the money flows. – It will be more difficult to be a criminal and hide the money, he says. – We go after the money. We are strengthening the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority, which will go after auditors, accountants and others who are professional facilitators of money laundering. We will also strengthen Ecocrime and use artificial intelligence, says Vedum. Published 15.11.2024, at 21.50
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Strong increase in confiscation from criminals – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
