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RCPO landmark case - the first ever use of SCPO powers under the Serious Crime Act

REVENUE & CUSTOMS PROSECUTION OFFICE News Release (PN08/003) issued by The Government News Network on 27 June 2008

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) secured three Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPO) today following an investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). The ruling at Isleworth Crown Court is in the first ever use of new legislation in England and Wales.

For 5 years from the day they are released from prison, members of the gang will be at risk of an additional 5 years in prison if they breach the Orders - which are designed to stop them carrying out activities related to the possession and movement of money.

Loch Hakimzada, his wife Praveen Hakimzada and Kuljeet Grover today received a total of 17 years imprisonment for their part in laundering cash for organised crime networks. The Hakimzadas used the cover of a Money Service Bureau to launder £25million during a period of just over 2 years. Grover was their trusted lieutenant. A junior member of the gang, Christopher Harrison was also sentenced today to one year imprisonment, but was not subject to a SCPO.

Huge sums of Scottish and English bank notes were collected by the gang in bags or boxes typically in the street or in a car park. The cash was then passed through counting machines at the family home before being transferred abroad - mainly to Dubai where other contacts, probably relatives, continued the process. The true nature of the activities was concealed by the creation of false records. Painstaking investigation revealed links to drugs and other smuggling.

In addition to the sentences, Loch and Praveen Hakimzada and Grover were given Financial Reporting Orders requiring them to report all their financial details every year and on release every 6 months for 10 years. Deportation orders were made in respect of Loch Hakimzada and Grover.

Gregor McGill, Head of Serious Organised Crime at RCPO said "This is an excellent result. The convictions in this case are the culmination of an excellent investigation by officers of the Serious Organised Crime Agency. The Serious Crime Prevention Orders granted by the Judge are the first use of these powers in England and Wales. These Orders are aimed at limiting any future criminal activity by these defendants"

Bill Hughes, Director General of SOCA said

"Serious Crime Prevention Orders are an excellent tool in the fight against organised criminals and we are delighted this order was granted following this successful SOCA investigation. It is not enough to catch and convict, we need to make it our business to ensure that criminals are prevented from returning to their illegal activities and that is what this SCPO is designed to do. SOCA will continue to ensure all powers available are employed to make the UK an unattractive place to commit serious organised crime."

Notes for editors:

1. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 18 April 2005. An independent prosecuting authority, RCPO reports directly to the Attorney General, and is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK.

2. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) is an intelligence-led agency formed in April 2006 to tackle Class A drugs and organised immigration crime as top priorities. Other priorities are fraud against individuals and the private sector, hi tech crime, counterfeiting, the use of firearms, serious robbery and recovery of the proceeds of crime. SOCA is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by, but operationally independent from, the Home Office.

3. Serious Crime Prevention Orders were created through the Serious Crime Act 2007 (in force from April 2008). They allow SOCA and other law enforcement agencies to apply to a judge to place conditions, restrictions or requirements on those involved in serious crime.
The purpose of an order is to protect the public by preventing, restricting or deterring those involved in serious crime from continuing their involvement.
Breach of a Serious Crime Prevention Order is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
A Serious Crime Prevention Order can last for up to 5 years from the date on which it commences.

4. FROs may, on the application of a prosecutor, be applied by a court following a conviction for certain substantive offences. They can require a convicted criminal to report their financial details at regular intervals for a period of up to 20 years for those sentenced to life, or a maximum is 15 years for other sentences.

5. Loch HAKIMZADA - 9 years imprisonment
Praveen HAKIMZADA - 4 years imprisonment
Kuljeet GROVER - 4 years imprisonment
Christopher HARRISON - 1 year