Ex-detective told to pay £75k for stealing cocaine

Andrew Talbot was investigated after he dropped a bag of the drug outside his daughter's school

A detective jailed for stealing almost £400,000 of cocaine from police stores has been ordered to pay back more than £75,000 or face extra time behind bars.

Andrew Talbot, 55, formerly a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) detective constable, was investigated after he dropped a bag of the drug outside his daughter's school in February 2020.

The cocaine addict, had stolen just under 4kg (9lb) of the drug and conspired with convicted dealer Keith Bretherton to sell it, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

After being found guilty, he was jailed for 19 years in October 2024. At a proceeds of crime hearing at the same court, it was heard Talbot benefited from £179,372, GMP said.

Sentencing him, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: "You deceived your colleagues and you betrayed the trust placed in you by them and the community."

Talbot, from Leigh, has been ordered to pay back £75,420 within three months or face two extra years in prison, the force added.

Det Insp John Andrew of GMP said: "Talbot is already paying for his crimes by losing his livelihood and his liberty, and now he must financially pay for his crimes.

"This outcome shows in the strongest terms possible that any officer guilty of corruption will be fully brought to justice and will not be allowed to gain at the expense of colleagues and the public."

Helen Hughes, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The public expects police officers to obey the law.

"Andrew Talbot comprehensively abused his position as a police detective.

"He stole drugs from Greater Manchester Police's property store, which he brazenly supplied on the streets of the same city he had a duty to protect.

"It is right that he should not benefit as a result."