MORE than £80 million in illegally acquired assets has been recovered by Scottish authorities in the past decade under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

A total of £50.9m was netted by the Crown Office's Serious and Organised Crime Division (SOCD), which deals with the confiscation of proceeds of crime following a conviction.

The remaining £30.5m was secured by the Civil Recovery Unit, which can seize proceeds of crime through the civil courts without the need for a criminal conviction.

In the past year, £12m was recovered from those engaged in gangland activities, drug dealing, human trafficking and benefit fraud.

The Proceeds of Crime Act came into force 10 years ago. Lindsey Miller, head of the SOCD, said it has proved a powerful tool in the hands of prosecutors.

She said: "We have taken more than £80m from criminals, which otherwise could have been reinvested in their enterprises.

"However, we have not become complacent in our success. Crime evolves and we must evolve with it.

"In the past year alone, we have seen successful confiscation orders against people who have participated in all types of crime, including drug dealing, selling counterfeit goods, embezzlement, human trafficking and benefit fraud.

"We will continue to use our experience and expertise to maximise disruption to criminal enterprises."

Figures show that in 2012-13, £4.3m was recovered from those involved in so-called "black fish" cases, relating to large-scale undeclared landings of fish in the north of Scotland.

In total, 23 men were convicted for their part in the operation, receiving fines and confiscation orders to ensure that they did not profit from their illegal activity.

The confiscation orders were made against a number of vessel skippers, as well as Shetland Catch Ltd and Fresh Catch Ltd.

In another notable case, the home of gangland figure Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll, who was gunned down in a the car park of Asda in Robroyston in 2010, was seized by authorities last year.

Solicitor General for Scotland Lesley Thomson QC, who announced the figures, said: "My message is clear: if you try to make a profit from crime, the Crown will use this legislation to the maximum to take that profit from you and ensure it is put it to a much better use in communities across Scotland."

The CashBack for Communities scheme sees money recovered through proceeds of crime legislation invested in activities and facilities for young people at risk of turning to a life of crime.

Since it began in 2007, more than £50m has been ploughed back into Scottish communities in partnerships with sporting, arts, business, community and youth associations.