record judicial seizures in 2023

The justice system is not a little proud of this: these expensive luxury cars were confiscated from criminals. Crooks, traffickers, fences, all have been put out to dry by the State. In three years, these seizures have increased from 484 million euros to 771, reaching a probable record of one billion euros in 2023. Three weeks ago, an unprecedented auction was organized by AGRASC (Agency for the management and recovery of seized and confiscated assets) in Besançon (Doubs) with luxury watches that had recently been stolen.

When criminal assets do good

A yacht belonging to a Belarusian involved in a money laundering case has been seized by the state. Luxurious accommodation has also been taken over by services whose staff numbers have doubled. But serious crime is not the only target. Yet every year, convicted criminals try to recover their assets from the state. Only 20% succeed, those who are relaxed.

“Their heritage is what they do their criminal activity for. When you take that away from them, they are angry, and we reduce impunity“, explains Fabrice Rizzoli, specialist in organized crime and president of the Crim’HALT association. The justice system is also confiscating more and more real estate to resell it: 168 in 2022, compared to only 58 in 2017. Some become social housing, reception centers for battered women or refugees.