Drug dealer with £1.5m property empire convicted

Richard Baxter is due appear at Kingston Crown Court again for sentencing in December

A man who the Met Police said built up a £1.5m property empire has pleaded guilty to supplying drugs and money laundering.

At Kingston Crown Court on Friday, Richard Baxter admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

He had four properties in south-east England including a house in Surrey, as well as a holiday chalet, the Met said. Officers arrested Baxter as part of an investigation into criminal gangs operating in London.

The conviction follows his arrest in Valencia by Spanish police and extradition back to the UK. Baxter, 50, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the same court on 5 December.

'You will be held accountable'

He was one of the key figures in a gang smuggling hundreds of kilos of cocaine and heroin, the Met said.

Det Con David Lawn, who led the investigation, said the force was "committed to combat the sale of dangerous and illegal drugs which pose a threat to the public".

He added: "The Met are deploying specialist resources to tackle drug criminality and make the capital a safer place to live.

"Baxter's conviction sends out a strong message to those who seek to profit from illegal drug trade: you will be held accountable for your actions in front of the court."