A 71-year-old pensioner who profited by more than £110,000 from drug-related crimes has been ordered to pay back less than half of his ill-gotten gains. Thomas Hughes, of Park Avenue, Porthcawl, was sentenced to six years in prison after police raids uncovered cocaine, cash, and drug paraphernalia at his home.
Police Raid Uncovers Drugs and Cash
On September 28 last year, officers from South Wales Police executed a warrant at Hughes' home. They discovered a large quantity of illicit items, including £2,660 in cash, a black leather case containing an iPhone, a Samsung mobile phone in a black leather case, scales and various clear deal bags indicating drug distribution, and a bag containing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine. Additionally, police found £25,000 in cash, £926 in £2 coins, £505 in Euro notes, a small bag containing white powder, and a Scottish bank note worth £10.
The white powder, weighing approximately 472g, was identified as cocaine with an estimated street value of between £13,500 and £15,000 for a typical half-kilogram deal. During the search, a total of £29,203 in cash was recovered, indicating Hughes' involvement in drug trafficking and related criminal activities.
Previous Conviction and Sentencing
Hughes had been jailed previously in 2019 after police found £80,000 worth of cocaine and tens of thousands of pounds in cash in a safe. In April 2018, officers seized £30,000 in cash from a property along with 800g of cocaine that had an estimated street value of between £32,000 and £80,000. The following year, Hughes pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply and two money laundering offences and was sentenced to seven years in jail.
After his release, he reoffended, leading to the latest arrest. Hughes appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on November 7, where he entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to supply a controlled Class A drug, specifically cocaine, as well as possession of criminal property. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Confiscation Order Under Proceeds of Crime Act
At a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was heard that Hughes benefited to the tune of £109,846 as a result of his offending but only has assets worth £48,283. Judge Vanessa Francis ordered the defendant to pay £48,283 after making him subject to a confiscation order. Despite benefiting by more than £100,000, the pensioner cannot pay back the full amount due to limited assets.
According to South Wales Police, the confiscation order ensures that Hughes does not profit from his crimes, even if he cannot repay the entire benefit amount. The case highlights the use of POCA to recover proceeds of crime from offenders.
