Convicted drug dealer ordered to repay £200k

Police seized a vintage Ford Cosworth valued at £90,000 and a Transit van valued at £50,000 as part of its proceeds of crime investigation

A convicted drug dealer must pay back more than £200,000 of his "ill-gotten gains" or face three years in prison.

Lee Whiteley, 35, of Alkrington Road North in Middleton, Greater Manchester, received a suspended prison sentence after admitting three counts of conspiracy to produce class B drugs, namely cannabis, in 2023.

The money he must repay is significantly more than the £3,800 presented at the original court case following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.

Greater Manchester Police said its proceeds of crime investigation proved three houses he bought were funded from his criminal activities and it also seized a vintage Ford Cosworth valued at £90,000 and a Transit van worth £50,000.

Whiteley has three months to repay £218,443.

'Ill-gotten gains'

Financial investigator Kelly Belfield said: "This case highlights that crime doesn't pay and we will come after criminals and take their ill-gotten gains.

"The case is unusual as Whiteley was only convicted of benefiting from £3,800 from his drugs business.

"However, using Proceeds of Crime legislation and carrying out a confiscation investigation, I have managed to bring this figure up to £218,443 which is a huge increase and a great result."

She added: "If Whiteley fails to pay the money within three months, then he will serve an extra three years in jail - and still have to sell his assets and pay using the proceeds.

"Reclaiming cash this way not only disrupts criminal activity but it also directly benefits communities across Greater Manchester.

"These funds will be reinvested into vital community programmes and services through our asset recovery incentivisation scheme."