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Greater Manchester drug dealer forced to pay back £69k ‘ill-gotten gains’ to community
He claimed the wads of hidden cash was just his ‘Christmas money’
A Wigan drug dealer found to have large amounts of cannabis worth almost £45,000, numerous phones, and almost £15,000 cash has been ordered to pay back his ‘ill-gotten gains’ or face more jail time.
When questioned by officers, Stewart Melling, 35, maintained his innocence, claiming all the cash hidden around his house was just his Christmas money, Greater Manchester Police say.
After an extensive investigation by local Neighbourhood officers in Wigan, Melling was arrested on August 2nd, 2020 at his address at Platt Bridge.
Following investigations detectives were able to link the cash to his criminal activity
In December 2021 Melling pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class B drugs and was sentenced to 12 months in jail.
On Friday, February 9th, Melling was court ordered to pay back £69,862.71 or face further jail time. He has three months to pay or will face a further 12 months imprisonment.
Money seized from criminals and distributed to police forces via the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) will be invested into communities across Greater Manchester.
Detective Inspector Pat Wood of GMP Wigan Challenger Organised Crime Group said: “This is just another way we go after criminals.
“Our specialist Challenger team, who are tackling organised crime, will use all tools available to hit the criminals where it hurts – their pockets – to make sure they cannot continue their lives of luxury once released from jail.
“For us, a conviction alone isn’t enough and these people who have exploited the most vulnerable people in our society to fund their own lavish lifestyles should rightly be made to pay this back so the wider community can benefit.
“We would like to thank the public for their continued support in assisting our work by reporting and sharing information and anyone with information can contact police via LiveChat on our website, www.gmp.police.uk, call 101 or 999 in an emergency, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”