Court Drug dealer jailed for 7 years must repay £60k
ADRUG dealer who was jailed for supplying class A drugs has been ordered to pay back more than £60,000.
Ashley Hawkins was jailed for seven years and two months in September 2020 after he was convicted of being concerned in supplying cocaine, MDMA and ketamine between November 2015 and May 2020.
The 33-year-old also admitted possessing a taser and a knuckle duster.
The drug dealer pushed narcotics to University of Bristol students – advertising the class A drugs on social media – and openly bragged he would be a millionaire.
Hawkins, of Stanier Road in Siston, was so blasé about his lifestyle that when he and his partner went to Bristol Magistrates’ Court they took quantities of cocaine, MDMA and ketamine with them.
In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police now said: “During the investigation, Operation Remedy officers seized more than £50,000 in cash, which Hawkins had concealed.
“An investigation was launched under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) resulting in a hearing in Bristol Crown Court on Monday (September 20).
“At the hearing, Hawkins’ was estimated to have benefited by the amount of £321,814 as a result of his criminal activity.
“He was ordered to pay back £61,845 which was calculated to be his
available amount.”
The statement added it will be possible for the police to make applications in the future to confiscate any further assets identified as belonging to Hawkins up to the total of £321,814.
Financial investigator Bryony Dixon said: “This was a complex investigation which resulted in the recovery of thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash thanks to the hard and diligent work of officers from Operation Remedy and Bristol CID.
“The resulting POCA investigation and the outcome at court earlier this week ensures Hawkins will not financially benefit from his offending.
“We hope it sends out a strong message that we’ll use all available powers to catch those who deal drugs in our communities and ensure their crimes do not pay.”