Financial Crime

The Joint Financial Crimes Unit (JFCU) is staffed by both Police and Customs Officers. The Unit is charged with receiving/ analysing suspicious activity reports from the Finance Industry and investigating drug trafficking offences as well as serious and complex financial crimes/ fraud

In addition to investigating domestic financial crime and drug trafficking, the JFCU is the conduit for assisting other law enforcement agencies worldwide in investigating such matters where there is a financial link to Jersey.

The Customs and Excise (Jersey) Law 1999 is the primary domestic legislation for Customs Officers but additional powers are afforded, in respect of financial matters, under the terms of the Drug Trafficking Offences (Jersey) Law 1988 and the Proceeds of Crime (Jersey) Law 1999.

Three Customs Officers are currently seconded to the JFCU and their primary responsibilities include:

(i) the investigation of domestic and international drug traffickers,
(ii) the investigation of drug related cash seizures from the Ports,
(iii) the investigation of drugs money laundering,
(iv) providing assistance to HM Customs and Customs enforcement worldwide.

With regard to those individuals convicted of a Drug Trafficking offence(s) by the Royal Court of Jersey, the JFCU prepares a report for the Attorney General's consideration, in respect of identifying any "benefit" derived by the accused from Drug Trafficking. The Royal Court may then impose a Confiscation Order to the value of that "benefit" figure and any assets belonging to the accused can be realised to satisfy the Order. The Law is purposefully draconian in this respect and even those assets acquired with legitimate funds , can be realised to meet the Confiscation Order.

All amounts recovered in satisfaction of Confiscation Orders are paid into the Drug Trafficking Confiscation Fund (DTFC). The administering Committee then allocates these funds within the Island to support the consequences of the misuse of controlled drugs.