Slick and professional dealers ordered to pay back half a million pounds
Two brothers from Merseyside who were involved in Class A drug trafficking have been ordered to pay back more than half a million pounds.
Back in March 2005, Mark Hardie (33) of St Catherine’s Road, Bootle, and Michael Hardie (32) of Bushley Road, Bootle, were sentenced to terms of imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court, for drug trafficking offences.
The criminal investigation was run by the Middle Market Drugs Team of the Merseyside Police and linked the brothers to the drug transaction through surveillance and forensic evidence.
Michael Hardie pleaded guilty to supplying drugs and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. Mark Hardie was convicted following two trials at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment. The North West Regional Asset Recovery Team (NW RART) then began an investigation into the Hardies’ financial situation.
On Thursday 23rd March 2006, before His Honour Judge Thomas, at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Michael Hardie agreed that his benefit from criminal activity amounted to £51,840. From the available amount the judge ordered Hardie to pay a confiscation order of £45,000 within 6 months, or face a default sentence of 18 months in prison.
On Monday 10th July 2006, following a contested financial hearing lasting five days before HHJ Thomas at Liverpool Crown Court, Mark Hardie’s benefit from his criminality was determined at £689,382.43. The available amount, which includes seven properties, cash and a number of vehicles was determined at £479,156.02. A confiscation order was made in this amount and he was given 6 months to pay. A sentence of 3 years 8 months imprisonment was passed should he default in paying it.
In summing up prior to making the confiscation order, Judge Thomas said that the Hardies’ drug trafficking activities were ‘of some standing and a slick and professional operation’. He went on to describe Mark Hardie’s evidence during the hearing as ‘reeking of dishonesty’ and he rejected it ‘entirely’.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Kellett, Head of the NW RART, said, “This is another good example of the Proceeds of Crime Act hitting criminals where it hurts – in their pockets. The Hardie brothers are serious and hardened criminals who have dealt in heroin in Merseyside and other parts of the UK for many years. Stripping them of their assets in this way helps to ensure that, when they are finally released from prison, it will be so much harder for them to return to dealing and will go some way towards preventing them from creating more addicts and victims in the community. It is also pleasing to know that a proportion of the money confiscated from them will be used to increase resources for neighbourhood policing and supporting victims in Merseyside”.