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Crime proves a cash cow for Swiss authorities

Caroline Bishop
Caroline Bishop - [email protected]
Crime proves a cash cow for Swiss authorities
In 2013, Swiss authorities received 31.5 million francs. Photo: Marcel Grieder

Seized cash from the proceeds of crime in Switzerland benefited the federal and cantonal authorities to the tune of 31.5 million francs ($35.6m) in 2013.

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According to NZZ am Sonntag, the amount of confiscated money has tripled in one year, and is nearly ten times the amount seized in 2010.

Last year the federal authorities received 16.8 million francs ($19m) as the result of uncovered crimes. The canton of Geneva received 11.1 million francs ($12.5), while Zurich recouped 3.1 million francs ($3.5m).

Monies derived from criminal activities can only be given to government authorities by the federal and cantonal courts if no private individual was harmed in the case, reports newspaper 20 Minutes.

These cases generally concern drug deals, corruption and money laundering.

The sharp increase in seized cash is due to a clampdown on crime, reports the newspaper.

2013's record amount does not include cases where the proceeds of crime are shared between Switzerland and another country.

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