A drug dealer has been ordered to pay back more than £200,000 for cannabis dealing after officers seized high value clothes and a Mercedes in a raid.
Billy Linwood, 26, was jailed for three and-a-half years in February for his role in the sale of cannabis in Basildon.
He had been charged in June 2021 as part of an investigation which saw 8kgs of cannabis seized from an address in Feering Green during the same month as well as more than £26,000 in cash.
Linwood, of Cherrydown East, Basildon appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Monday December 19 for a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing and was ordered to pay back £209,163.87.
Investigating officer PC Daniel Olney, from our Op Raptor team, said: “Billy Linwood accumulated significant amounts of cash and high value property as a result of selling drugs.
“Our investigation ensured he went to prison for his crimes, but our work doesn’t stop at the cell door.
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“It’s not right that criminals are allowed to benefit from their exploitation of the public and the harm they inflict on our communities.
“That’s why keep going after them even after they’ve been put behind bars to force them to hand back the proceeds of their crimes and seize their illegally attained cash.
“Our message is clear – you can’t get away with selling drugs in Essex or making money off the exploitation and misery of our communities.”
Linwood has also been told he needs to pay back £65,066.50p within three months and if he doesn’t he will face a sentence of 18 months in prison if he fails to pay back the amount within three months.
Officers had initially stopped Linwood’s car in October 2020 after identifying he was a disqualified driver.
When searching the car officers discovered cannabis and seized hundreds of pounds of cash, high value clothes, and a mobile phone as well as the grey Mercedes AMG, worth £30,000 to £40,000, that Lindwood was in.
With no evidence of legitimate income, it was suspected the vehicle was the proceeds of crime.
He was charged with, and later admitted, charges of being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property, and money laundering.
