A man who was involved in the supply of cannabis in the Sherborne and south Somerset areas has been ordered to pay back just over £100,000.
Dennis Terry Michael Julian, 36 and of Wingfield Road in Sherborne, was jailed for two and a half years following a hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 12 December 2019. He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a controlled class B drug with intent to supply, possessing criminal property and having an article with a blade or point.
Julian first came to officers’ attention in January 2018 when he was stopped by Surrey Police driving erratically on the M25. They immediately smelt cannabis and a search of the car revealed cash, a quantity of cannabis, a kitchen knife and a black iPhone.
A search of his address was carried out and officers located cash totalling £15,180. They also searched a second address in Sherborne used by Julian and found a quantity of cannabis and a large set of digital scales. Julian was released under investigation while enquiries continued.
In April 2018 Julian was arrested in connection with an unrelated matter. When officers searched his vehicle they located a quantity of bags of cannabis in the boot. He was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis. A further search of an address in Sherborne, known to be used by Julian, was also carried out and officers found a significant quantity of cannabis in the loft.
A drugs expert later stated that the estimated street value of the cannabis was around £88,000.
On Friday 7 August 2020 a confiscation order was made against Julian under Proceeds of Crime Act legislation during a hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court. It states that Julian must pay back £107,230 that he made from his illegal dealings. The cash seized by officers – £16,470 – from his address will be paid toward this amount.
As with all Proceeds of Crime confiscation orders the outstanding benefit figure is still owed and the case will be reviewed in future to ascertain if Julian has acquired further assets.
Detective Constable Scott Brimicombe, of the Force’s Financial Investigation Unit, said: “I hope this case demonstrates that where offenders are found to have gained money through their criminal activities we will use the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation to take these illegal earnings from them.”
