Lowestoft:Man Ordered to Pay Back £30000

A 43 year old man from Lowestoft has been ordered to pay back £30,000 after a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Ipswich Crown Court.

Darren Casey, who had previously pleaded guilty to the offence of Possession with Intent to Supply Class C Drugs, was found to have had a ‘criminal lifestyle’ and benefited from his 'general criminal conduct' to the sum of £30,000. He is required to pay within 28 days or face a sentence in default of 14 months imprisonment.

Casey was the subject of a police operation in the Lowestoft area that began in October 2008, following the recovery of Class C drugs and cash at his home, an associated address in the Waveney area, and business premises controlled by him in Norwich.

He was charged in connection with the investigation, and in January 2011 he appeared before Ipswich Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to the offence of Possession with Intent to Supply Class C Drugs. He was sentenced to a period of 7 months imprisonment, which was suspended for 12 months, and was required to undertake 250 Hours unpaid work. 

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Mattin said, "The order made by the Crown Court against Darren Casey underlines the lengths that Suffolk Police will go to, even after conviction, to prevent individuals profiting from crime.

“The Proceeds of Crime Act gives us the power to ensure that those people in our communities who seek to profit from the trafficking of unlawful substances will be stripped of the money that motivates them to engage in this activity.

“This case serves as a warning to those who choose to engage in these crimes, that the possession and supply of drugs can not only result in a custodial sentence, but also severe financial penalties.”