Curtis Warren was this week arrested because he allegedly broke the extensive rules of his Serious Crime Prevention Order.
National Crime Agency (NCA) officers arrested the 60-year-old at the house of Stephanie Smithwhite - the former prison officer jailed for having a relationship with the Liverpool gangster while he was in HMP Frankland. Warren was arrested on suspicion of breaching the order, with NCA officers stating the alleged breaches "relate to the unauthorised use of mobile phones, vehicles, bank accounts and travel".
The order came into force in November 2022 after his release from Whitemoor Prison, Cambridgeshire, where he served the end of a 14 years for drug trafficking offences. A number of strict measures were introduced upon his release, including being prohibited from using WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger and from using cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.
READ MORE: Curtis Warren arrested at home belonging to prison officer he had affair with
Warren also has to give notice ahead of usual day-to-day activities like getting into a friend's car or van. Warren does not have a curfew and has the right to apply for a British passport, but has to give seven days' notice if he wants to leave the country.
In a bid to prevent any suspicious activity, he can only use one mobile phone, one sim card and one phone number. It was reported he cannot hold more than £1,000 in cash - and is closely monitored when it comes to trying to borrow money, hold trusts or shares, or make transfers.
As well as being jailed for drug trafficking, he was also slapped with more prison time for failing to obey a £198m confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act. A NCA source previously told the Daily Star: "The confiscation order is outstanding. If, for example, he purchased a house, that house would be taken away as part of the order."
The ECHO reported last year Warren would not be supervised in Liverpool by the probation services because he served his full sentence. However, Warren is watched by the NCA's lifetime management team who are in charge of upholding the order for the next five years.
Warren’s former barrister Anthony Barraclough confirmed to the Mirror Warren was the man arrested, even though he was not named by the NCA. Mr Barraclough, retained by Warren’s solicitors to provide advice, said: "Any breaches will be minor transgressions. These will be very fine interpretations of restrictions I anticipate."
The NCA released footage of officers raiding a house in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside. Officers also searched another address in the Royal Albert Dock area, where Warren is believed to stay. Mobile devices, documents and a quantity of cash were seized, and they are now being examined by investigators.
The operation was supported by Merseyside Police and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit. Alison Abbott, from the NCA’s Lifetime Management of Offenders Team, said: "These court orders are vital tools for preventing and deterring future offending. Once criminals come onto our radar, they never leave, and the NCA will take action over breaches."
Breach of a serious crime prevention order is a criminal offence subject to a maximum sentence of five years, an unlimited fine, or both. Warren, who was previously worth around £200m, was bailed pending further enquiries, reported the Mirror.
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