A drug dealer who is currently serving nine years in jail has been stung with a confiscation order racking up more than £300,000.
Ben Houldsworth was living in Bristol when he was stopped by police on the M5 in February 2019, with approximately £5,000 in bank notes in his car.
Further investigations of addresses linked to the 29-year-old led to the discovery of cocaine, MDMA, multiple mobile phones, jewellery, two firearms, several cars and motorbikes and tens of thousands of pounds of cash.
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He was then jailed on October 30, 2019, after pleading guilty to a number of offences including; three counts of possessing class A drug with intent to supply and two counts of possessing a firearm when prohibited.
Now, Bristol Crown Court have today (Tuesday October 20), ratified the confiscation order worth £331,603.91, which included those items found, plus a 40 per cent equity in a property in South Wales.
The sum also included approximately £120,000 Houldsworth had in cash and a bank account.
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DC Lorna Withey said: "Ben Houldsworth used the money he was making through drug dealing to finance a lavish lifestyle, full of expensive cars and watches.
"Criminals, especially drug dealers, have a negative impact on our communities and cause misery, so we will continue to work hard to ensure that once released from prison, such individuals are not able to live off money they have illegally accrued.
"We hope this substantial confiscation order sends out a clear warning to everyone that crime does not pay."
