Money makes organised crime go round - that's why we will take it away from the criminals

A DRUG dealer has been ordered to pay back more than half a million pounds following investigations by Northumbria Police and the North East Regional Asset Recovery Team (RART).

Robert Raymond Henson, of Ancroft Garth, Shincliffe, County Durham, was sentenced to 12 years on June 27, 2008, for two offences of drug trafficking involving the supply of heroin and cannabis and the collection and handling of associated cash.

On Wednesday, December 16, a judge ordered him to pay back £542,040 in a confiscation hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.  

Henson was one of seven people who were jailed last year for their part in a multi-million pound conspiracy.

The court judged that he had profited by a total of £1,551,146 from his part in the conspiracy.

If he fails to pay back the money within 12 months he faces an additional three years in jail and will be charged interest on the outstanding sum he owes.

The confiscation order follows a Northumbria Police investigation - Operation Verona - which uncovered an organised crime group, headed by Henson, involved in the wholesale distribution of large amounts of cannabis resin imported from mainland Europe, and the purchase a distribution of heroin obtained from a supplier in Manchester.

Police recovered a total of 53.5 kilos of heroin, more than seven kilos of amphetamine, and 382 kilos of high grade cannabis resin.

Northumbria Police Detective Superintendent Peter Farrell said: "This successful confiscation demonstrates our commitment to work with partners to target organised criminals.

"Money makes organised crime go round - that's why we will take it away from the criminals."

Following the conviction a referral was made to the North East Regional Asset Recovery Team to conduct a confiscation investigation.

DCI Steve Waite, head of the North East Regional Asset Recovery team said: "This result sends out a clear message to the public that the North East RART together with Northumbria Police have worked in partnership to ensure that Henson and his co-conspirators have not benefited from their ill-gotten gains. 

"The proceeds of crime legislation has been deployed to maximum effect to ensure the criminal activities of this organised crime group have been disrupted."

Northumbria Police Detective Chief Inspector Steve Binks, who led the original investigation, said: "Henson was making a huge profit from a dangerous commodity which frequently ruins the lives of countless people.

"I hope this confiscation will send out a strong message to anyone involved in the supply of drugs that Northumbria Police will take decisive action to arrest them, put them before the courts and work with partners to take away their criminal assets."

Note to Editors

The North East RART is made up of a team of specialist investigators who use money laundering investigation techniques and asset recovery powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act to strip proven criminals of their assets gained through criminal activity.

The Crown Court made a confiscation order against Henson in the sum of £542,040.35 which was determined by the court as the available amount Henson will be able to payback.  The court further ordered that all these funds have to be paid within 12 months.  Should Henson not meet this deadline then a default prison sentence of 3 years will be added to his existing term of imprisonment.  Henson will still have to pay the order in full and any additional interest charges that will be levied on the outstanding debt.  The HMCS enforcement team take robust action to ensure that criminals who are reluctant to pay back the proceeds of their crimes do not evade their debt.