Drugs cash found in a car involved in a fatal smash on the M1 near Brogborough can be kept by Bedfordshire Police, a court ruled on Thursday.

Vietnamese nationals Loc Van Nguyen, 30, and Quoc Cuong Tran, 34, died when the car they were travelling in hit the central crash barrier between junctions 12 and 13 southbound on September 17 last year.

Detectives from the Economic Crime Unit carried out an investigation after finding £18,000 and cannabis-growing gear beside the wreckage.

Bedfordshire Police applied to seize the cash at Bedford Magistrates Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Det Con Dennis Simpson said the money, some of which will go to central funds, will help finance further police financial investigations, under Section 298 of the Act.

Speaking after the hearing, DC Simpson added: "It is clear, as a result of equipment and money found, this came from criminal activity used in the cultivation of cannabis.

"Leads found at the scene of the accident led us to an address and a cannabis factory in Nottingham which linked them to the two men."

He said the money was stashed in two bags. One was found behind the dead men's damaged Volvo, and the other alongside it.

DC Simpson went on to explain that in one bag there were visible traces of cannabis.

A pair of scissors also found tested positive for drugs by Cambridgeshire forensic scientists.

DC Simpson said a receipt for a rented house in Nottingham, under a false name believed to be an amalgamation of the two dead men's names, was also discovered in the wreckage.

Officers in Nottingham searched a house which contained cannabis plants that had already been harvested.

And a receipt for a hydroponic lamp – which can be used to enhance the growth of plants – was also found.

The two North London-based men's car was involved in an accident with a Volkswagen Transporter van before ploughing into the crash barrier on that evening.

Mr Nguyen was pronounced dead at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital from skull and brain injuries, while Mr Tran's head was severed in the impact.

The Volkswagen driver did not stop at the scene but later gave himself up to police.
He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident, but was later released without charge.

Sarah Simcock, legal representative for Bedfordshire Police, said the third person involved in the accident had nothing to do with the items found.

No representatives from the family were present in court, but Miss Simcock added: "They were aware of the hearing at this time, date and forfeiting of money.

"One email dated in December from a member of one of the men's family requested the money should be given to the next of kin. But this was not pursued any further."