THE seizure by police of thousands of pounds of suspected drug money has approved by a court.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police’s financial investigation unit collected £14,000 after stopping and searching a car on the A19, near Dishforth, in December last year.

Magistrates in Northallerton yesterday approved a forfeiture order for the cash, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

After the car was stopped, officers interviewed four men and launched an investigation into the origins of the money.

The claimant of the £14,000 provided an account of what he was using the money for, but police were able to prove the cash was strongly linked to drug dealing.

No charges were brought against the men, who were from West Yorkshire, but police successfully applied to keep the cash.

Detective Inspector Ian Wills said: "This is a superb outcome, which comes as the result of a thorough investigation led by financial investigator Steve Wright.

"The result shows that North Yorkshire Police will pursue criminals from across the region in order to deprive them of the proceeds of their crimes."

During the last financial year, the financial investigation unit has recovered almost £1.4m after pursuing criminals through the courts to retrieve their illegal earnings.

For more information, visit northyorkshire.police.uk/whyshouldthey