Kent: Orders mean £37,000 is confiscated from criminals in ten days
Kent Police has recovered £37,085 from three confiscation orders in ten days.
Benefited from crime
On 12 September 2012, a confiscation order was made against Kellie Reed, aged 42 of Cliffe, Rochester. Mrs Recorder Bleasdale made a judgement at Maidstone Crown Court that Reed had benefitted by £4,931.44 from crime and an order was made that £920.44 was confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) which represented the total assets available. A Ford Ka was also forfeited under the Misuse of Drugs Act, as it had been used in the commission of an offence. Reed was given 14 days to pay or serve 28 days in prison.
Drugs and cash found
On 16 December 2011, Kent Police patrols prepared to stop a driver to advise with regard to using a mobile phone whilst driving. Whilst driving up to the Ford KA, officers stopped the vehicle which was being driven by Reed, to advise with regard to using a mobile phone whilst driving. Officers discovered 126 packages of cocaine in the vehicle, totalling 70.215 grams. Cash in the sum of £920.44 was also found on Reed which was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Convicted of theft
On 10 September 2012, an order for £8,276 was made against Mehmet Suzgun at Maidstone Crown Court. It was agreed with Suzgun that he had benefitted from the proceeds of crime by £8,276, after he had been charged and convicted of eight counts of theft from a cash and carry store in Gillingham during August and September 2011.
Suzgun has 14 days to pay or face six months in prison.
On 3 September, a confiscation order was made at Maidstone Crown Court against Neil Beckley, previously of Herbert Road, Chatham.
Cannabis offences
Beckley, aged 48, was charged on 2 February 2011 with the production of cannabis and other offences.
He was sentenced on 18 July 2011 to 14 months imprisonment, from which he was released on 16 February 2012.
His Honour Judge St John Stephens declared that Beckley had benefitted from crime in the sum of £27,889.41 and that he had assets to that value. He was ordered to pay this amount within six months or face a term of 18 months in prison.