Convicted drug dealer ordered to pay back criminal money

A convicted drug dealer from Kent has been ordered to repay the money he made illegally or a face longer term behind bars.

Michael Orishadare, 32, was jailed for 24 years in April 2024 for conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, following an investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU). 

Orishadare, formerly of New Hythe Lane, Aylesford, was a member of a Luton-based organised crime group (OCG) which distributed large amounts of cocaine, heroin and firearms nationwide. 

As the OCG’s trusted drug importer, he used his connections in the Netherlands to bring vast quantities of class A drugs into the UK, primarily through Tilbury Docks in Essex. 

An investigation by ERSOU’s Regional Organise Crime Unit (ROCU) was conducted as part of Operation Venetic - an international police campaign which uncovered thousands of message exchanges by criminals using the EncroChat communications tool. 

Detectives identified that Orishadare was behind the Encrochat handle ‘InternationalDon’ and that he had supplied in the region of 250kg of heroin and cocaine. 

Following his conviction, financial investigators at ERSOU calculated how much the criminality could have earned the OCG, and conducted reviews of bank accounts during the period Orishadare was known to have been involved in drug dealing.  

Investigators analysing his available assets and cash then pursued court orders to ensure that anything he had available was used to repay the amount earned through illegal means. 

At Luton Crown Court on Thursday (23 January), Orishadare was ordered to repay an initial £132,030, based on the watches and cash belonging to him which were seized on arrest. 

He must repay the full amount within three months, or face an additional three-year custodial sentence. He would still then be required to pay the agreed total. 

The court also agreed that Orishadare had made in excess of £8 million through the criminality, and financial investigators will continue enquiries in the future until the full amount is paid. 

Financial Investigation Manager Jemima Cholmondeley-Smith, from ERSOU’s Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “I am pleased that following substantial imprisonment for the initial investigation, we have subsequently been able to strip Orishadare from the identifiable cash and assets that he made through the course of his criminal activities. 

“Using Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) legislation, we have been able to pursue Orishadare with a court order that demands payment or face an extension of prison time.”