Daniel Mark Terrance Whiteley has been ordered to pay £1,150 after a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation found that he had benefited from the supply of drugs.
The 24-year-old man, formerly of Stockwell Grove, Knaresborough but now living in Harrogate has been issued with the confiscation order under by York Crown Court sitting at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on 25 February 2014.
At around 9pm on 15 February 2013, police officers stopped Whiteley’s vehicle in Knaresborough after spotting it on St James’ Retail Park in Knaresborough and became concerned due its apparent poor state of repair.
When officers approached the vehicle they could smell cannabis so carried out a search of the vehicle and its occupants.
Cannabis and cash were found in the car and further cash and cannabis was found during a search of the defendant’s bedroom. Whiteley was arrested at the scene along with another man who was subsequently charged with possession of cannabis and fined.
Whitley was found to have benefited from drug dealing to the amount of £6,049.53 and was ordered to repay £1,150, which is the total of his realisable assets. Police had previously seized the £1,150 held it prior to the confiscation hearing. Courts do however give 28 days for payment with failure to pay being punishable by prison sentence and the offender still required to repay the money.
Whiteley previously pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply. On 30 August 2013 at York Crown Court, he was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Detective Sergeant Jonathan Rowland of North Yorkshire Police’s Financial Investigation Unit, said: 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 and hit criminals where it hurts the most – in their pocket.
If you suspect anyone of living off illegal earnings, please do not hesitate to call the police, we will take action.
