A gas worker who ran a successful drugs side hustle splashed his illicit earnings on a "lavish" lifestyle which was uncovered by police when they raided his home.
Officers found £45,450 in cash, two Audi cars, a Vauxhall Astra, two motorcycles and an inflatable boat with an outboard motor at Michael Wainwright's property.
The gas subcontractor was able to lead a double life due to the healthy profits of his drug dealing enterprise, Hull Live reports.
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Large stashes of cash totalling £41,335 were hidden under the seat of a works van and a pile of cash totalling £1,455 was found on top of a microwave in his kitchen. Police also found blocks of cocaine with high purity levels of up to 85 per cent, Hull Crown Court heard.
Stephen Robinson, prosecuting, said that police went to Wainwright's home with a search warrant and he was detained as he was getting out of the shower.
Two Honda motorcycles were in the garage and outside was an Audi S5, an Audi A4, a Vauxhall Astra and a Mercedes van as well as an inflatable boat with an outboard motor.
In a Northern Gas work outfit was £1,210 in the lefthand pocket and £1,450 in the right pocket. Wainwright claimed that this cash was from his work as a subcontractor for that company.
There were digital scales, a craft knife and clear bags containing white powder - a "kit for measuring and dividing the drugs into smaller amounts". Bulking agent was also found for mixing the drugs. Cocaine was in a lunch bag, some with purities of 85 and 75 per cent.
Two blocks of cocaine, with a street value of £11,280, were found in a woolly hat on the dashboard of the works van. Under the passenger seat was a rucksack containing 533g of Ketamine, with a, street value of £10,660. There was £41,335 cash under the passenger seat, some of it in a snood and some in boxes.
The total amount of cocaine found was 408.6g and the total Ketamine found was 533g. The total amount of cash found was £45,450.
During police interview, Wainwright said that he used cocaine as a "treat" because he worked hard and "needs a blowout". It was a works van but he was allowed to bring it home. He claimed that the cash in the van belonged to someone else and he was looking after it but he would not say who it was.
"He was heavily involved in the supply of drugs," said Mr Robinson. "There was an expectation of substantial financial gain and large amounts of cash were recovered." Wainwright had previous convictions but nothing for drugs and none since 2005.
Olivia McGeeney, mitigating, said that Wainwright started taking drugs as a social habit with friends. "He initially did not see it as a problem but then that spun out of control and he eventually got into debt and began supplying drugs in order to pay that debt off," said Miss McGeeney.
"He would buy in bulk and sell it on and keep some for his own use. He fully acknowledges that he only has himself to blame. One of the Audis belonged to his wife and the other belonged to him. He would say that they aren't part of his drug dealing but part of family life." He bought other vehicles or had them there to "do up" as a hobby.
Money found in the pockets of his work trousers was from that work as a subcontractor for Northern Gas networks, Wainwright claimed. "The cash found in the van is a separate matter, he accepts," said Miss McGeeney. "That doesn't come from any legal activity. He has kept his job throughout these proceedings and his employers have said that his job will still be open for him when he leaves custody.
"He has stopped associating with those friends he was with before and has changed his life for the better. His wife is disappointed that he finds himself where he is." Wainwright had three children and also has grandchildren.
Judge Mark Bury said: "The total amount of cash seized was in the order of £45,000. There were significant quantities of drugs also. You were in the business of buying and selling 1kg blocks of cocaine, which you were wholesaling to other dealers, who would themselves supply to street dealers.
"You had plainly been doing this for some time because of the amount of cash you had in or about your property. Your house was lavishly furnished. It seems to me you were making significant profit.
"You played a leading role here. It was your enterprise and it was a profitable one. You plainly have been at this enterprise for some time, making significant sums out of it."
Wainwright, 44, of Bowmont Way, Kingswood, Hull, admitted possessing cocaine and Ketamine with intent to supply and possessing cash as criminal property. He was jailed for eight years. A Proceeds of Crime hearing will take place at a later date.
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