Man has to forfeit almost £170k after being stopped by police on M6

A MAN suspected of making money by illegal means has had to forfeit almost £170,000 after being stopped by police with £10,420 in cash in his car.

Zhi Liang Chen, 33, from Lion Mews, Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland was subject to a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Warrington Combined Magistrates Court on Tuesday 19 July.
Mr Chen was initially stopped on 5 July 2023 after being stop-checked driving a Maserati on the M6 southbound near Knutsford.

Officers discovered he was in possession of £10,420 in cash. Further investigation by the Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU) led to the discovery of a bank account containing £88,100.54 and jewellery valued at £71,400.
He was never able to provide officers with evidence as to where the money had come from and the court agreed that the money had, on the balance of probability, been obtained by illegal means and £169,920.54 was forfeited. Mr Chan was also subject to an additional costs order of £1,750.

Detective Inspector Helen Rowlands, from Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “This was an excellent example of the way in which the ECU can disrupt criminality without the requirement for a conviction.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act is just one of many tools in our box to help us deter criminal activity and I hope it sends a clear message that anyone who is believed to be committing a crime will be dealt with one way or another. Coming to Cheshire is just not worth the risk.”