‘DRUG LORD’ TO REPAY £80K
Three months to pay up or he’ll serve another two years in prison:
AMAN branded “Anglesey’s drug lord” has been stripped of his illgotten gains on a judge’s orders.
Ian Paul McGuigan played a significant role in the supply of drugs and benefited by more than £190,000 from the conspiracy, a judge heard.
The 41 year-old, from Ty Croes near Rhosneigr, was jailed for eight years after admitting the offences in December 2016.
An investigation by North Wales Police into McGuigan’s finances discovered the benefit from the offending was £193,667.
The court heard the amount available to be confiscated was £80,037 and the judge ordered McGuigan pay up within three months.
Judge Niclas Parry added: “I am pleased the order has been resolved and the benefit figure agreed.
“You haven’t got that amount, but I order that the available amount is paid within three months.
“That period may be extended but only in exceptional circumstances.
“If you do not pay you will serve a further two years in custody and that will be consecutive to any sentence currently being served.”
Richard Edwards, prosecuting, said assets considered included a horse box and an exerciser, animals, a vehicle and cash seized at the scene as well as the contents of a bank account. McGuigan, who appeared via videolink from prison, spoke only to confirm his name during the brief, four-minute hearing.
Wearing an orange high visibility jacket over a green T-shirt and dark trousers he was flanked by a prison guard.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and other paraphernalia seized by police from McGuigan.
Police were watching McGuigan’s farm in September 2016 when two men arrived to deliver drugs.
When officers stopped the Passat car they found £35,000 cash in plastic bags in a specially adapted compartment.
A later search revealed a kilo of cocaine in a brown package in a fence – it was similar to a package officers saw being handled by McGuigan.
The father-of-four admitted conspiracy to supply illegal drugs and money laundering as well as charges of possessing a disguised firearm, seven hollow point bullets and criminal property.
Lawyers for McGuigan said his involvement in drug dealing was unsophisticated and short-lived “to make a quick buck”.