The Story So Far
 Criminal assets forfeited and confiscated by the Sussex Police have totalled over £1.5 million between April and December 2008.
In the last quarter £167,000 has been returned to Sussex Police to fight crime and fund the training of further financial investigators. This is the sixth highest amount returned from the 43 forces of England and Wales
DS Mick Richards of the Money Laundering Investigation team said
"Since the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) came into effect in 2003, over £530 million has been seized by the Police forces of England and Wales.
Sussex Police continue to make a significant contribution to asset recovery and seek to improve upon their performance with the help of the local community.
Criminals often view a period in prison as an occupational hazard, but the Economic Crime Unit of the Sussex Police seek to strip them of their criminal gained assets as well. Members of the public are sick and tired of seeing people with no legitimate income living a lavish lifestyle. We are working hard towards taking the cash out of crime making use of all the powers granted to us under POCA and other legislation.
I am very aware that in these difficult times how disheartening it is to see people 'flashing the cash' when you know that it has come from a life of crime and that they appear to be 'getting away with it'
I would urge anyone with information to call us on the non emergency line quoting 'Too much bling' or contact us anonymously via Crimestoppers.
Together we will do something about it!"
David Pitchford
 Cyclist David Pitchford, 40, was about to climb to the very top of the sport but his dream ended when he was injured. He turned to supplying cocaine, ecstasy and raft of other "higher end" drugs but was arrested in February last year and had his Porsche, Rolex watch, two homes and £26,000 in cash seized.
The athlete, of Gladstone Place, Brighton, was jailed for ten years for drug trafficking after police found carrying a large stash of drugs.
Sussex Police applied to Brighton Crown Court for a confiscation order for a further £324,147.92 to be paid within 12 months.
The court heard Pitchford had spent more than £60,000 on an American Express account and dozens of empty bottles of expensive champagne were found at his flat by police.
Pitchford was initially charged with three offences and remanded in custody. On February 16, 2006, his lock-up garage in Portland Road, Hove, was searched by police officers who found a strong box containing drugs.
The haul of class A drugs recovered by officers investigating the case was the largest in Brighton in 2006.
DC David West, from the Sussex Police Economic Crime Unit, said: "He claimed to be a recreational user of cocaine but not a chronic addict.
"Very typically, a person such as him maintained a semblance of normality and could go about his business without attracting a great deal of notice.
"He was having quite a considerable impact, inviting vulnerable individuals to engage in drug-taking."
A financial investigation was undertaken into Pitchford's bank and building society accounts, looking at his unexplained income.
Pitchford had formed his own limited company as a self-employed property developer but no trading records could be found and there had been no declarations of earnings for tax purposes in recent years.
DC West said: "The legislation to tackle career criminality is intentionally draconian. It is aimed at those persons that might previously have considered it being a worthwhile risk, to serve a period of imprisonment in the expectation that the fruits of their criminal enterprises would remain intact.
"The message is simple, in addition to vigorously prosecuting criminality. We will pursue and recover the proceeds of crime."
Patrick Forbes
 A greedy money launderer who profited from drugs misery has had his BMW car and Yamaha motorbike confiscated.
Patrick Forbes, 27, of Warrior Close, Portslade, was jailed for 15 months at Lewes Crown Court after admitting four charges of money laundering.
Judge Anthony Scott Gall declared that Forbes had benefited from his criminal conduct by £82,540.23 and ordered the confiscation of £14,000 worth of assets and money under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Forbe's car, a BMW 330Ci, and Yamaha motorcycle were included and will be auctioned.
Judge Scott Gall said a signal needed to be sent to those dealing in class C drugs and living off other people's addictions.
After the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Pollard said: "The Proceeds of Crime Act is aimed at those who believe the fruits of their criminal activity will remain intact while they serve a period of imprisonment.
The message is simple. In addition to vigorously prosecuting such criminality, we will pursue and recover the proceeds of crime. Any default in payment will result in an added prison term."
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