A drug dealer who was running a "profitable business" selling cocaine and cannabis from the family home has been ordered to pay back more than £24,000 he made in the illicit trade.
Dealers Stephen Knight and partner Kara Pope were caught after police raided the home they shared with their child.
Officers found £12,000 in cash under the stairs in the property along with another £3,000 at various locations around the house. Some £2,000 worth of cocaine was also recovered.
In October last year 29-year-old Knight, of Pantypwdyn Road, Abertillery, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to two years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis and to possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply. He was said to be the main driver behind the operation.
Pope, aged 30, was handed a two-year suspended sentence and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work for her "supporting" role in the operation after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.
Passing sentence on that occasion recorder Greg Bull QC told Knight he knew what he was doing, he was "highly successful" at it, and dominated his girlfriend. The pair returned to court on Tuesday for a Proceeds of Crime Act (Poca) hearing.
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The court heard financial investigators had concluded Knight benefited from his criminal behaviour to the tune of £26,643 and has £24,139 in realisable assets including money in Santander bank accounts.
Judge Daniel Williams issued a confiscation order for £24,139 with 10 months in prison in default if the sum is not paid by March 24.
The court heard no Poca orders were being sought against Pope.
