Warwickshire Drug Dealer Loses Confiscation Battle

Operation Deduce was a covert Warwickshire Police investigation into substantial drug trafficking within the Warwickshire area and other parts of the United Kingdom. The aim of this investigation was to identify and investigate key elements within the major organisations involved in the importation and trafficking of class A drugs with the  ultimate aim of disrupting the organisations, prosecuting the offenders and confiscating the proceeds of their crimes where appropriate as part of the RART's Operation Jackal. 

Brian Charles Medcraft had previously been arrested in relation to drugs trafficking offences and
intelligence suggested that Medcraft had been a prolific drug dealer within the Warwickshire area despite the fact that he has not been previously been convicted in relation to any drug trafficking offences. On Friday 25th February 2005 a search warrant was executed at an address in Brownsover, and Medcraft was arrested in relation to drug trafficking offences. Subsequently, a full search of this address was conducted and £23,625 in cash bundles was discovered hidden under a shoe closet in the hallway of the house. This money was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and at a cash forfeiture hearing held at Rugby Magistrates Court on the 9th

November 2005, this money was deemed to have originated from an illegitimate source and was forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Following his arrest on the 25th February 2005 Medcraft was charged in relation to two offences to supply a Class A controlled drug and one offence of offering to supply a Class A controlled drug in contravention of Section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 contrary to section 4(3)(A) of and schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The street value of the drugs involved in this case was approximately £26,400. Medcraft pleaded “guilty” to all three offences and was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court to four years imprisonment on the 31st October 2005. Jailing the defendant, Judge James Pyke told him: "It is patent that, despite your basis of plea, you were seriously implicated in supplying a class A drug. Only a realistic sentence of imprisonment can be justified."

A Proceeds of Crime Act Confiscation investigation was conducted that identified property and land that Medcraft had purchased as a result of his illicit activities. A confiscation hearing was subsequently held on the 21st June 2006 at Warwick Crown Court where it was established that Medcraft had benefited from his criminal conduct to the value of £437,000 and a Confiscation Order to the value of £130,000 was granted. Medcraft was given 12 months to pay, with a 2 year default sentence should he fail to pay this sum within the agreed timescale.