 Raids were carried out on residential homes and businesses |
Police have carried out raids on a number of homes and businesses in an operation to target suspected money laundering activities. The premises included lawyers' and accountants' offices in Glasgow.
The operation is aimed at confiscating what may be criminal assets and the raids are thought to be linked to Glasgow businessman Russell Stirton.
Strathclyde Police were issued with Wednesday morning's search warrants through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
It is understood that up to a dozen locations were searched, one of which was a petrol station in Springburn, Glasgow and another, a pub in the same area.
�2m in assets
The largest raid was on Mr Stirton's house in the village of Mugdock, north of Glasgow.
Police vehicles could be seen behind open security gates in the courtyard of the property.
Mr Stirton, who describes his business interests as builder and property developer, is allegedly involved with organised crime in the city.
Although he has no convictions for drug dealing nor any recent convictions for any other criminal conduct, he will have to prove to the courts that his assets have been acquired legally.
No charges have been brought against Mr Stirton but �2m of his assets have been frozen.
The Proceeds of Crime Act allows officers to seize assets or money from suspected criminals if they cannot prove that they were obtained by legal means.
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