Police return seized cash after ‘drug’ revealed as fish paste

Sean Eaton, 40, who buys and sells computers, was arrested by police after a drugs raid on a former frozen food factory, a court heard.

Officers seized the “drugs”, about £30,000 in Mr Eaton’s life savings and seven computers which they believed were stolen.

Mr Eaton was questioned on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply, Barnsley magistrates heard.

But forensic tests later discovered the “amphetamine” was in fact frozen fish paste.

South Yorkshire Police were forced to back down at a proceeds of crime appeal hearing and were ordered to return Mr Eaton’s cash and pay his costs of £3,967.

Heidi Cotton, for South Yorkshire Police, said it was decided to prosecute Mr Eaton with possessing stolen goods, which he denied after the raid in August, 2009.

Mr Eaton had a caravan at the disused factory in Cudworth, Barnsley at the time.

Some time later the police seized the cash because they believed it to be the proceeds of crime.

But Mrs Cotton said when the case came to Sheffield Crown Court the Crown offered no evidence on the stolen goods charge and the defendant walked free.

However, the police continued to hold the cash and Mr Eaton had to launch an appeal.

Mrs Cotton said: “When the case was dropped, the argument for the continued forfeiture of the money was weakened.

“The police concede the money should no longer be retained and it should be released to Mr Eaton.”

Andrew Smith, for Eaton, said the cash should have been released once the trial collapsed adding the police had only decided to admit defeat at the eleventh hour.

He said: “After the raid on the disused frozen food factory Mr Eaton was arrested on suspicion of possession of amphetamine with intent to supply.

“A couple of months later after an investigation, what was believed to be amphetamine turned out to be frozen fish paste.

“I realise the police have a duty to pursue proceeds of crime forfeiture applications and they are usually successful but this should have been abandoned.”