By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 14:16, Tuesday, 17 November 2009

More than £31,000 of criminal cash has been seized from two west Cumbrian men behind a drug plot involving bringing thousands of pounds-worth of prescription drugs into the UK.

John Darren Fawcett, 33, and Daniel James Kilburn, 35, illegally imported diazapam and temazepam from Pakistan through the internet. Both were jailed for two years earlier this year after being convicted of conspiracy to supply the class C drugs. Now the pair have been ordered to hand over money they made illegally after a lengthy financial investigation by Cumbria police.

The cash was seized after a hearing at Carlisle Crown Court under the powerful Proceeds of Crime Act.

Fawcett, of Grisedale Close, Whitehaven, was ordered to pay back £16,308 – although he was found to have benefited to the tune of £19,095 through the crime.

Kilburn, of Coniston Drive, Workington, must pay back £15,000.

If either of them fail to stump-up what they owe within six months, they will be jailed for a further nine months.

Detective Constable Sue Allison, of the west Cumbria drugs squad, said: “I hope this result inspires confidence among the law-abiding majority that we are determined to stop criminals profiting from crimes which affect their lives.

“The Proceeds of Crime Act allows us to hit criminals where it hurts – their lifestyles and their wallets.

“Communities can be confident we are committed to ridding the streets of drugs and recovering any financial benefit dealers may have acquired through their criminal activity.”

Fawcett and Kilburn were caught following a joint operation involving HM Customs and west Cumbria’s drugs squad.

A court heard in March that they were charged in January 2008 after customs officers intercepted two packages containing 6,590 temazapam tablets sent to Kilburn’s home.

Further packages intercepted contained 5,400 temazepam tablets and 1,500 diazepam. Carlisle Crown Court was told the street value of the drugs would have topped £16,000.

First published at 11:38, Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk