Dealer Stripped Of £200k By Court

A Wigan drug dealer has had £200,000 worth of crime proceeds seized by the courts.

Anthony Seddon, 46, was found guilty of possession with intent to supply a class A drug, possession with intent to supply a class C drug, possession of a stun gun and money laundering.

In January Seddon was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.

In May 2008, Police found £160,000 cash and cocaine and cannabis worth tens of thousands of pounds during searches of two houses on Amar Street, Higher Ince, as part of Operation Alligator.

Over £126,000 cash was seized from Seddon's home, which was forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act and later appealed by Seddon.

Under a confiscation order heard at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Seddon's appeal against the forfeiture was rejected. He was also ordered to pay back £73,620.31 that he was found to have made from drug dealing.

Seddon was ordered to pay the money back within six months or face a further 18 months in prison.

If Seddon does not pay he will serve the additional prison sentence and would still owe the money on his release from prison and his assets would be seized to satisfy the order.

Financial Investigator Ian Horrocks, said: "Seddon gained considerable wealth through his criminal activities.

"Not only is he facing many years behind bars but today he is almost two hundred thousand pounds worse off.

"Seizing cash using the legislation available under the Proceeds of Crime Act is essential if we are going to prevent crime from taking place and disrupt criminal behaviour."

(PR/GK)