Operation Tarian/Wales RART Press release
Court Orders Drugs Gang to Pay Back £750K of Ill-Gotten Gains or Face a Further 5 years in Jail.
The trio, Terry Higgins, 49 of Summerfield Avenue, Cardiff, his son Jason Higgins, 26, of King Street, Abertridwr and Craig Coombs, 26, of Bartlett Street, Caerphilly were all convicted in November 2005 of conspiracy to supply anabolic steroids, a Class C drug. Terry Higgins was also convicted of conspiracy to supply Cocaine. Coombs and Jason Higgins were both sentenced to 9 months and Terry Higgins, was sentenced to 4 years. This followed a covert investigation by the Wales Regional Task Force (RTF) culminating in their arrests in March 2005, during which cocaine and steroids valued at over £30,000 together with a handgun were recovered.
In order to hit these criminals where it would hurt them most, in tandem with the covert investigation their assets were also being investigated by the Wales Regional Asset Recovery Team (RART). Both the RTF & RART form part of the Wales multi-agency unit that form Operation Tarian.
On Friday 19th October, they again appeared before Cardiff Crown Court in a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing during which Judge David Wynn Morgan made Confiscation Orders against the three members of a gang previously convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and anabolic steroids in South Wales.
After hearing evidence over 4 days last week, the Court found that;
- Terry Higgins, who initially claimed his only source of income was as the owner of a small business providing door security for local pubs and clubs, was found to have owned 5 properties in, Abertridwr, Caerphilly and Cardiff worth over £½ million. Higgins’ was immediately ordered to pay the Court £90,000 currently held in various accounts with the balance of the Order, over £545,000 within 6 months or face a further sentence of 5 years in prison and still owe the money.
- Jason Higgins was ordered to pay £110,000 within 6 months and finally. If he fails to pay he faces a further sentence of 2 years imprisonment and again will still owe the money.
- Craig Coombs was ordered to pay back, £2,316 within 3 months.
These debts will remain for the rest of their lives unless paid in full.
The restraint orders continue to remain in force until the debt is paid.
The confiscation orders will continue to be enforced by the RART / CPS lawyer in partnership with Her Majesty’s Court Services Enforcement Team.
Wales RART and HMCS Enforcement Team are shortly due to co-locate as one of two pilot schemes promoted by the Home Office to enforce such orders, and enhance the lead Wales have made in collecting the criminal money.
Wales RART Operational Team Leader, Alan Brown said:
“The financial investigation which culminated in the Confiscation Orders imposed on these three individuals was a long and often complex affair. Terry Higgins in particular had obviously gone to some lengths, including setting up bank accounts in other names, to hide the proceeds of his criminal activities and the RART investigator also established that the various properties he owned, which included the former Panteg Public House in Abertridwr, could not have been acquired and maintained by him through any legitimate means”
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Tooby, Head of the Wales Regional Asset Recovery Team said:
“This is another excellent example of how financial investigation and the Proceeds of Crime Act get right to the core of criminality by removing the profits of criminals and in particular the organised criminal groups operating or impacting upon Welsh communities. The Wales RART runs on average about 50 such investigations, and in the three years which it has been established has recovered assets of nearly £12 million, and with the other cases pending, many millions of pounds worth of assets are still restrained by the RART. This is clearly one of the most powerful tools law enforcement agencies have in attacking the criminals that cause misery to our communities. The Wales RART as a multi agency team will passionately continue to use and promote POCA in making Welsh communities a safer place to live. My message is clear to criminals in Wales, we are after three years gathering momentum; we are coming for your assets, if you are not already on our books”.
Detective Superintendent Bevan, who co-ordinates the activities of Operation Tarian said;
“The Confiscation Orders imposed by the Court in this case, almost three quarters of a million pounds, clearly reinforce the message that drug traffickers and other criminals will not be allowed to profit from their crimes. We not only seek to imprison these individuals who prey on our vulnerable communities, but also to remove any assets they accrue through their criminal activities. This money will be ‘recycled’ through the Home Office and will generate additional funding back to the Police, Crown Prosecution Service and Courts to tackle other criminality in Wales”