A Workington drug dealer has been ordered to pay back more than £30,000 of his criminal gains.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing was held today (11 March) at Carlisle Crown Court where convicted drug dealer, Andrew Harkness Ritchie, of Brierydale Lane, Stainburn, Workington, was found to have benefited from his crimes by £32,884.
Ritchie was jailed for two and a half years at Carlisle Crown Court on the 15th October 2009 for offences of:
- Possession with intent to supply a class C controlled drug;
- Attempted possession with intent to supply a class C controlled drug;
- Knowingly concerned in the evasion of the prohibition on the importation of a class C controlled drug (2 counts).
The 42-year-old now has six months in which to pay back the £32, 884 or face a further prison sentence of 12 months in default.
Detective Sergeant Geoff Gardner, of Workington CID, said: "This shows once again that Cumbria Constabulary will pursue the assets of people who choose to involve themselves in criminal activity. As well as receiving a substantial term of imprisonment Ritchie now faces either having to sell his house or borrow against its value to pay this confiscation order."