Rotherham coke dealer's £40,000 profits seized

Carl Finner (44), of Haugh Green, Rawmarsh, was imprisoned after almost two years of investigations by South Yorkshire Police triggered by a routine stop and search.

Finner was suspected of dealing cocaine after police stopped him in April last year.

Officers found £320-worth of coke hidden in his underwear as well as a dealer list and £800 in cash.

He pleaded not guilty to possession with intent to supply at Sheffield Crown Court, but was found guilty and remanded in custody for sentencing.

Enquiries into Finner’s financial circumstances uncovered £40,000 of drug money in his bank account, while searches of his home found £4,000 cash hidden in the cooker hood and jewellery including a Cartier watch worth £5,000.

Police charged him with money laundering for possessing criminal property, to which he pleaded guilty at Doncaster Crown Court.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison plus six years for drugs offences.

The judge ordered Finner to pay £5,000 in court fees and give back £40,000 of drug profit under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Det Sgt Rob Platts, supervisor of SYP’s money laundering team, said: “This case goes to illustrate the fact that when the police are made aware of people dealing in drugs and other illegal activities not only will they receive a substantial sentence at court but they will also lose a substantial amount of money.

“This is a prime example which should send a warning to anyone out there thinking of becoming involved in dealing that crime definitely doesn’t pay.”