Man's criminal benefit confirmed after drugs gang jailed

The Leader reported in September 2020 on the sentencing of Edward White, of Elstead Road in Liverpool.

He received a four-and-a-half year sentence for his involvement in the Merseyside-based operation, which had packaged and supplied class A drugs estimated to be worth more than £2 million to areas in Scotland, England and North Wales; specifically Deeside and Anglesey.

Now 64-year-old White returned to court on Tuesday for the conclusion of Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) proceedings against him.

Andrew Jones, prosecuting, told the court White's benefit figure in relation to his crimes had been calculated at just under £1,850,000.

But the amount he had available for confiscation came to £46,920 - made up of cash, a vehicle and property.

At the time of his sentence, the court heard White had stage five chronic kidney disease and a letter from his daughter read by Judge Niclas Parry stated a lengthy jail term would be a "death sentence."

The Judge told him then: "You were a trusted associate and courier and you had responsibility for storing and collecting large quantities of class A drugs.

"At times you have been found to be in possession of many tens of thousands of pounds worth of drugs - but your mitigation is significant."

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During the POCA hearing this week, Andrew Jones told the court that given White's health difficulties, the Crown Prosecution Service was "sympathetic" to the situation the defendant found himself in and "some discretion will be exercised in terms of enforcing the order."

Andrew Alty, defending, agreed to the figures put forth by Mr Jones - following which they were certified by Judge Niclas Parry.

He told the defendant the amount would need to be paid within three months unless an application for a further three months was made, after which the matter would be passed to an enforcement agency.