Criminals including Telford drug dealer payback over £2.3 million
A Telford drug dealer who was jailed for six years after admitting conspiracy to supply Class A drugs has been made to pay back £16,725.
The man was one of a number of criminals in Warwickshire and West Mercia made to pay back well over £2 million during the past year with nearly half being returned to victims, police have revealed.
The money has been secured through the courts by the Forces’ joint Economic Crime Unit following detailed investigation into the financial assets of convicted criminals.
Detective Inspector Mark Glazzard, head of the Unit, said: “Inquiries carried out by police financial investigators during 2013/14, resulted in a total of £2.3 million in confiscation orders being granted under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“These were granted against offenders across a broad spectrum of crimes, including fraud, theft and drug trafficking. The amount includes over £1 million to compensate victims from some of those crimes.”
He said that in addition, the Unit had secured over £200,000 in cash forfeiture applications made under the same Act.
“Overall, this is a significant result and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring criminals do not leave the judicial system with any benefit from their criminality.
“When someone has been convicted, we make application to the courts to strip them of any benefit gained from their criminal conduct, even if it means they have to sell assets, including major items such as their car and home.
“They then have a specified period to comply with the order and pay back the money. Failure to do so automatically results in a prescribed and often lengthy further period in prison. And even then, the debt is not wiped off by the default prison sentence – it remains in place until the person has the means to pay.”
DI Glazzard said money was at the heart of all organised crime, especially when involving drugs. “The lifestyle and status it brings is the main motivation for most criminals. Without cashflow, deals can’t be made and people can’t be paid. For these reasons, many organised criminals fear attacks on their finances and lifestyle more than prison.
“We are continuing to work with our partner agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service and the Court and Tribunal Service to target criminals in any way we can, not just through prosecutions but by hitting them where it hurts – in their pockets.
“Most importantly, we are able to compensate some victims through the confiscation process. Victims are central to what we achieve so it is satisfying that our efforts go some way to relieve their distress.”
He added that the POCA legislation helped stifle criminal activity and sent a clear message that crime does not pay. “If you know someone who is benefitting from crime in any way, do call the police on 101, or alternatively, contact the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
