Crime doesn't pay - Drug dealers pay stiff penalty after illegal drugs operation

Drug dealers pay stiff penalty after officers seize their illicit funds following supply of unlicensed erectile dysfunction pills and other Class C drugs.

Henry Brown and Judith Purdy are finding out that crime really doesn’t pay, after officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) obtained a Confiscation Order instructing them to pay back over £218,000 following their illegal activities.

Brown, 62, was a HGV driver who was arrested after officers seized 250,000 Class C tablets, including Tramadol and unlicensed erectile disfunction pills, during an operation in 2019. A wider investigation revealed his partner, Purdy, 59, was also involved in the criminal activities.

Brown and Purdy, both of Slaley Close in Gateshead, both appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in 2021 and the pair pleaded guilty to a number of charges including Conspiracy to Supply.

Brown was given a 21 month prison sentence suspended for 24 months and Purdy received a 12 month sentence suspended for 24 months.

But this week the duo has discovered the full length of the law after officers from NEROCU’s Economic Crime Team went after their illicit profits via the Proceeds of Crime Act.

This not only looked to assess the value of their criminal benefit through committing offences but also assessed the value of their available assets.

On Tuesday, they appeared at Newcastle Crown Court again and were ordered to put their hands in their pockets and pay back a total of £218,069. This amount is made up from the value in houses, bank balances, savings and cars, none of which could have been amassed on their legitimate income. Failing to adhere to the order results in jailtime for the duo.

Following the Confiscation Order, Detective Inspector Tommy Maughan, said: “Brown and Purdy thought they could outsmart law enforcement. However, they are now facing further consequences of their actions and not only are they both convicted criminals, but they now have also had their assets stripped and bank balances drained.

“This was a very complex investigation and I want to thank the fantastic teams involved, including the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. It is through great partnership working that we can continue to make large-scale impacts on drug supply in our region.

“As part of Operation Sentinel, our initiative to tackle serious and organised crime, we will continue the vigorous pursuit of criminals who look to harm our region’s communities through drug crime.”

Anyone who suspects drug misuse or supply in their area is asked to report it to police or you can ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.