North Yorkshire Police have secured the seizure of £10,320, suspected as being the profits of drug dealing.
At a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act on Tuesday 19 April, Northallerton Magistrates ordered the forfeiture of the cash following an extensive investigation carried out by Financial Investigator Stephen Miller.
On Friday 24 July 2009, York man Scott Vincent Wade, 36 (deceased) was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
His arrest followed an incident in York where Wade had attempted to dispose of a bag of cash and personal belongings whilst being pursued on foot by police officers.
The bag was recovered and the cash contents found to total £7,020. This cash was the subject of a separate application for the forfeiture of detained cash which was granted by Northallerton Magistrates’ court on 10 January 2011.
While Wade was held in police custody, police carried out a search at a property known to be linked to Wade in Seventh Avenue, York. The property was the home of a member of Wade’s family.
During the search, officers discovered several bundles of cash in various locations in the property totalling £10,320.
On 17th December 2009, Scott Wade and three others were formally charged with two offences of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. This followed the seizure of heroin and crack cocaine with a street value of approximately £60,000 which was seized after the cash was recovered.
43-year-old Howard Yockney, one of the three others charged, was subsequently convicted of this offence and jailed for eight year in December last year. The other two defendants were acquitted.
On 18 December 2009, Scott Wade was found dead in a bedroom at the same property in Seventh Avenue, York after an apparent drugs overdose.
Detective Inspector Ian Wills, head of North Yorkshire Police’s Financial Investigation Unit, said: “Despite Wade’s family initially claiming ownership of the money, they eventually decided not to contest the hearing.
“This followed extensive enquiries by Financial Investigator Stephen Miller, who was able to discredit their claim to the money. Significantly, forensic analysis showed that the notes were contaminated with levels of the class A drug, diamorphine, substantially greater than that typically found on banknotes in general circulation.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act enables us to strip criminals of their illegally earned income, we will continue to use the act to its full potential.”
Anyone who suspects someone of living off illegal earnings can report them anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name and could qualify for a cash reward.
