A cocaine dealer who was jailed for more than a decade has now had £112,000 of his criminal cash seized.
Craig Fraser was involved in conversations with others about an agreement to supply at least three kilos of cocaine and over nine kilos of cannabis.
The 41-year-old used EncroChat, which enabled him to send and receive encrypted messages to mask his offending, between March and June 2020.
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Newcastle Crown Court heard how Fraser, who ran a butchery and meat business, became "significantly involved" with others within a seven-day period and agreed to take part in the supply of the drugs.
He was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis following an investigation led by the Serious and Organised Crime Team at Northumbria Police.
Fraser, formerly of Wingrove Road, Fenham, Newcastle, was jailed for 10 years and six months at the court in Newcastle in May this year.
On Tuesday this week, he returned to the court and a judge issued a confiscation order for £112,727.
The money will be seized and re-invested back into communities and the fight against organised crime, led by the Operation Sentinel team.
Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael, of Northumbria Police’s Crime Department, said: "Fraser is serving a lengthy custodial sentence for his involvement in the large-scale supply of some incredibly harmful and addictive substances, which really do impact our communities.
"But in addition to this jail term, we have now been able to successfully confiscate £112,727 of criminal cash – made through the sale and distribution of cocaine and cannabis.
"It is only right when pursuing offenders though Operation Sentinel that we use every tool and tactic at our disposal, including the Proceeds of Crime Act, to ensure that criminals are dealt with appropriately, their organisations dismantled and their cash and assets stripped.
"This is the only way we can ensure crime does not pay and our communities know we are serious about keeping them safe.
"Our work in this area will continue and the money seized will be invested into our ongoing fight against serious and organised crime – with a number of organisations and charities benefitting from it."
