Police discover £1.8m in gold bars at airport

A court has ordered that the incredible discovery of £1.8 million worth of gold bars can be retained by police under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Officers stopped a man carrying the bars weighing more than 15kg in his hand luggage as he prepared to fly abroad in May 2025, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Following a months-long investigation by officers in the Economic and Cyber Crime Unit the force presented its case to Manchester Magistrates Court and the outcome is the biggest haul ever awarded to GMP.

Half of the funds will be invested into communities across Greater Manchester via the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS).

The latest ARIS programme saw 12 groups benefit, including a community boxing and sports club in Bolton that put on free classes for over 350 children and free-half term holiday camps, including meals.

“This case reflects our unwavering commitment to tackling all forms of money laundering, whether it involves cash, gold, or any other high value assets used to hide criminal profits,” said Det Insp Sarah Langley, from Greater Manchester Police.

“By targeting the movement of illicit wealth at every stage, we are dismantling the financial networks that allow organised crime to thrive.

“Our message is clear: whatever the form and wherever it is concealed, we will find it, we will seize it, and we will ensure that crime does not pay.”