Two cocaine conspirators, who have been jailed for supplying drugs across Wearside, have been ordered to pay back more than £300,000 of their ill-gotten gains.
Kenneth Hunter and his associate William Trott were convicted in 2019 after a long-running investigation identified them as central figures in a plot to supply cocaine and amphetamine.
Officers from Northumbria Police uncovered the pair’s illicit empire when disqualified driver Trott was caught behind the wheel of a car in Shiney Row. A search of his home followed the arrest and led detectives to two kilos of cocaine and 12 kilos of amphetamine.
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His associate Hunter was later arrested and during a search of his home, officers found a receipt for a £19,500 speedboat which was quickly tracked down and seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, along with several other vehicles.
The two later appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where they pleaded guilty and in May 2020, they were jailed for a combined total of 14 years and an investigation into their finances was subsequently launched.
Kenneth Hunter admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and was jailed for seven years on March 15, 2020.
William Trott, 41, admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and was also jailed for seven years on March 26, 2020.
This year, the complex financial investigations culminated in two hearings which ruled Trott and Hunter had significantly benefited from criminal activity.
On February 11, William Trott, formerly of Hedworth Terrace, appeared back at the same court where a judge issued a benefit order totalling £77,940 with £3,470 set as the available amount.
Hunter, formerly of St Paul’s Drive in Houghton, appeared on February 25 and was issued with a benefit order of £241,653 with £24,800 set as the available amount.
The rulings mean that Trott must pay the available amount immediately and Hunter within three months - and whenever they come into money in the future, their benefit orders will be revisited until the amounts are paid in full.
Following the hearings, Detective Sergeant Amber Renton from Northumbria Police’s Crime department said: “As part of our commitment to tackling serous and organised crime as part of Operation Sentinel, we will continue to pursue offenders after they’ve been convicted to make sure they are stripped of any ill-gotten gains under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“This result sends a strong and clear message to those involved in drug supply - crime does not pay. I hope this shows our hardworking communities that those breaking the law and living in big houses, driving expensive cars or funnelling cash made in illicit ways will not get away with it.
“I would like to thank our team of financial investigators, whose detailed and thorough work ensures those committing crimes do not continue to benefit from their illicit activity. I also want to take this opportunity to ask the public to work with us – and report anything suspicious to us.”
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