THE PAYBACK

Cash seized from a "major player" in Teesside's drugs trade is being used to
help strip assets from other suspected dealers.

A judge ordered the confiscation of UKP17,000 following the conviction of
drug-dealing Grove Hill grandad John Dixon.

Dixon, 60, of Deepdale Avenue, was jailed for five years when he appeared at
Teesside Crown Court last week. He had pleaded guilty to the possession of both
cocaine and heroin with intent to supply.

The court heard how Dixon had the money stashed in a steel cabinet at his
daughter's home.

Ordering the forfeiture of the cash, Judge Tony Briggs told Dixon that dealing
in hard drugs was "the scourge of Teesside".

The confiscation is thought to be one of the first cases in the area where
assets have been taken under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The Act allows for a new forfeiture process relating to cash seizures of more
than UKP10,000 where it is suspected the cash has come from, or is intended for
use in, unlawful conduct.

It means that those involved in Teesside's lucrative drugs trade are now
helping to pay for police operations against other suspected dealers. The Grove
Hill prosecution followed a Dealer A Day raid last year.

Police say the money they found was deemed to be profits from selling heroin
and cocaine. Some of the seized cash is helping to finance action against a
suspected cannabis dealer caught with UKP25,000.

Police hope they will be able to apply for that cash to be confiscated and used
to finance more operations against dealers.

Det Sgt Paul Templeman, of Middlesbrough Drug Squad, said: "We are doing
exactly what the Government wants - hitting drug dealers, taking their
ill-gotten gains and using it to finance more anti-drugs operations. The Dealer
A Day operation in Grove Hill took out a major player in the area and his
drug-dealing profits are helping us continue the fight against drug crime.

"Ironically, criminals are now funding police operations. This is a cycle we
would like to see continue and grow, and we would urge anyone with information
about drug-dealing activities in their area to contact us."

Cleveland Police have a Financial Investigation Unit, committed to asset
confiscation. Officers look at suspects' lifestyles and consider if they are
financed from crime.

Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said: "We have
consistently stressed the need to hit criminals where it hurts them most - in
their pockets - and it is even more pleasing when their money can be used to
continue the fight against the drugs trade.

"We welcome the fact that the Government, through powers such as the
confiscation of assets and the closing down of premises used for drug crime, is
strengthening the range of measures available to the police and we are fully
behind the force in making the best possible use of them."