A drug dealer has been ordered to pay back more than £66,000 of illegally-earned cash following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing.
Connor Gibbs, 22, formerly of Radnor Park Avenue, Folkestone, was jailed for five years in March 2020 after pleading guilty to a number of offences including the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.
A review of Gibbs’ assets was subsequently carried out, and at a confiscation hearing held at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday 10 September 2020 he was ordered to pay back £66,334 or face an extended term in prison.
Gibbs came to the attention of Kent Police in September 2019 following an incident in Folkestone in which he threatened a man with a knife and tried to force him into his car, in what was suspected to have been a dispute over drugs.
Witnesses reported the incident and one of the attending officers recognised Gibbs from a photo that had been taken.
Further enquiries to locate both men were carried out and on the morning of Sunday 29 September officers made contact with the victim, who was found to be safe. Gibbs was arrested later that same day.
A search of the property uncovered more than £3,000 in cash and the knife that had been used to threaten the victim. A car parked outside was also searched and police found £50,000 inside the spare wheel bag in the boot. Officers seized the money and the car.
The investigation continued and on Monday 30 September officers also seized heroin that belonged to Gibbs. The drugs had an estimated street value of up to £36,000.
Gibbs admitted charges of attempted kidnap, threats with a knife, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possessing criminal property.
Detective Inspector Annie Clayton of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: ‘This is another fantastic example of how members of police staff from our Financial Investigation Unit are preventing serious criminals like Connor Gibbs from living the high life off of their illegal activities.
‘They are experts in their field and use the Proceeds of Crime Act to great effect in ensuring people who make money from drugs, human trafficking and other offences are not allowed to pick up where they left off after they are eventually released from prison.’
