Convicted drug dealer ordered to pay back 250K to police

A convicted drug dealer has been ordered to pay back more than £250,00 in cash and spend six years in jail.

 

In August last year, officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) executed a warrant at an address in Darlington after intelligence was received that the owner was importing Class A and B drugs from the US.

 

They alerted Durham Constabulary who assisted them with the warrant at Aidan Sayers’ address.

 

Teams conducted a search of the house and found a large amount of Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis products and Psilocybin - more commonly known as ‘magic mushrooms.’

 

In addition to this were a number of items indicating supply, which included padded envelopes, as well as empty packets bought in bulk, several sets of scales and a heat sealer.

 

Officers also seized around £38,000 in cash and high value items such as Rolex watches.

 

The 23-year-old was taken into custody and later charged with importation of Class B drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs and money laundering.

 

Sayers, of Chaldron Court, Darlington, admitted the offences and appeared at Teesside Crown Court in March, this year where he was sentenced to six years in prison.

 

A court order was also put in place on Tuesday (October 15) which instructed Sayers to pay back £250,000 which will help support frontline policing.

 

PC Michael Hanratty, from the NEROCU Disruption Team said: “This investigation and subsequent sentence reaffirms our zero-tolerance approach to drugs across the county and our commitment to rooting out criminality within our communities.

 

“Drug supply often funds other areas of organised crime such as child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, modern slavery and illegal gun importation so tackling drug crime is vital.

 

“Drugs and those looking to profit from these illicit activities have no place in our communities and those involved should expect an early wake up call from us in the near future.

 

“We urge anyone who has information of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and report it.”

 

If you have any information about suspected criminality, you can report it to your local police or you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by visiting their website or calling 0800 555 111.