Man convicted using SmartWater
Updated on 01 September 2008
A 21-year-old man has become the first person to be convicted using a technology which forensically linked him back to security van robberies.
Ali Lwanga, from Baron Walk, Newham, east London, was jailed for eight years for conspiracy to rob.
SmartWater, an invisible liquid which can only be seen under ultra-violet light, played a crucial role in the Flying Squad investigation. The chemical, installed in the blue security dye in G4S cashboxes, meant recovered money could easily be traced back to a number of robberies.
Lwanga was jailed at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday for conspiracy to rob between November 5 2007 and January 18 2008, as well as three counts of money laundering.
During this period Lwanga stole more than £80,000, some of which was found hidden under his mattress at his aunt's address.
Staff at branches of Ladbrokes in Canning Town, London, alerted police to Lwanga after he attempted to launder hundreds of pounds in cash using gaming machines.
Investigating officer DC Laurie Bays, from Barking Flying Squad, said: "This is the first time SmartWater evidence has been presented during a trial to help us convict a cash-in-transit robber and it's proving to be an extremely valuable tool in both detecting and preventing crime as it's incorporated into G4S cash boxes."
Phil Cleary, chief executive officer for SmartWater, said: "In this instance SmartWater was able to forensically link the offender to four separate robberies, demonstrating the power of the technology, which should act as a severe warning to all criminals."
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