Press Association
Saturday 11th February 2012
Tories will demand that the Scottish Government use "all necessary measures" to seize the assets of criminal masterminds.
MSPs at Holyrood will debate the issue of serious and organised crime.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken called for more to be done to seize the assets of criminals.
The Conservative said: "We need every tool in the box to combat those who impact so seriously on Scottish communities. Those who have been convicted, live in large houses and have overseas properties need to prove that these assets were not funded by illegal means or face their forfeiture.
"We should use the taxation system to squeeze every drop of their ill-gotten gains from them, as happens in Ireland.
"I will be using the Scottish Government's debate to demand that all necessary measures be implemented."
However, a Scottish Government spokesman insisted: "The Mr Bigs are already in our sights."
While he said the "many successes" of the police and Crown in this area should be celebrated, he added: "We are determined to continue to improve effectiveness in seizing assets and confiscating profits. Already over £27 million has been recovered but more can and will be done."
The spokesman said £1.2 million had been allocated to the Crown Office for the recruitment of specialist staff to boost recovery.
In addition, the Government and police service have each provided £500,000 to recruit financial investigators in the Strathclyde, Lothian and Borders and Tayside areas.
