Jailed Newcastle drug dealer back in court as ill-gotten gains seized
A cocaine dealer who sourced drugs through an encrypted device has re-appeared in court and had more than £112,000 of his ill-gotten gains seized.
Craig Fraser was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis following an investigation led by the Serious and Organised Crime Team at Northumbria Police.
The 41-year-old used his encrypted device to buy the Class A and B drugs between March and June 2020, and in May this year was jailed for 10 years and six months at Newcastle Crown Court.
And, on Tuesday, June 26, Fraser, formerly of Wingrove Road in Newcastle, appeared back at the same court where a judge issued a confiscation order for £112,000.
The money will be seized and re-invested back into communities and the continued fight against organised crime led by the Operation Sentinel team.
Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael, of Northumbria Police’s Crime Department, said: “Fraser is serving a lengthy custodial sentence for his involvement in the large-scale supply of some incredibly harmful and addictive substances, which really do impact our communities.
“But in addition to this jail term, we have now been able to successfully confiscate £112,727 of criminal cash – made through the sale and distribution of cocaine and cannabis.
“It is only right when pursuing offenders though Operation Sentinel that we use every tool and tactic at our disposal, including the Proceeds of Crime Act, to ensure that criminals are dealt with appropriately, their organisations dismantled and their cash and assets stripped.
“This is the only way we can ensure crime does not pay and our communities know we are serious about keeping them safe.
“Our work in this area will continue and the money seized will be invested into our ongoing fight against serious and organised crime – with a number of organisations and charities benefitting from it.”
If you would like to report any suspicious behaviour, please visit the Northumbria Police website and use the ‘Tell Us Something’ page.