Dan Jones was instructed to oppose an application by the Metropolitan Police for an order for the further detention of a collection of high-value watches under section 303L of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
In September 2020, the police executed search warrants against a number of Hatton Garden jewellers as part of a wider investigation into terrorist financing. The watches in question were seized from one of those jewellers under a Police and Criminal Evidence Act warrant, but were re-seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act when Dan’s client claimed ownership of them. The police then sought an order allowing them to retain the watches for a further six months to conduct an investigation. However, having heard legal argument from Dan, the court ordered that the police must return the watches to his client immediately.
Dan was instructed by Mark Bowen of Shearman Bowen Solicitors.
Chapter 3A of POCA was introduced by the Criminal Finances Act 2017 and allows the police to seize “listed assets” (precious metals, stones, watches, art, face-value vouchers and postage stamps) worth at least £1000 and detain them for up to 2 years if they can show that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the assets are recoverable property or intended for use in unlawful conduct.
Dan is a specialist criminal lawyer. He prosecutes and defends a wide range of serious criminal matters in both business crime and general crime. Dan has also developed a specialism in civil proceedings for the forfeiture of cash and money held in bank accounts under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
