A drug dealer caught with nearly 16kg of skunk cannabis has been order to pay back almost quarter of a million pounds.

New laws mean 49-year-old Steven Smith must forfeit some of his possessions - which include a Harley-Davidson bike, two Rolex watches and five vehicles.

The van driver, of Tudor Grove, Rainham, was found with 15.9kg of skunk cannabis, and admitted possession with intent to supply.

He was given a two-year custodial sentence last April.

Kent Police have now obtained a confiscation order against him, based on a law that allows them to recover cash and assets obtained by criminal activity.

Maidstone Crown Court ordered the man to pay back £250,000 by September 16 this year, or face three further years in prison.

The figure was derived from cash he had on him when arrested, his house, a leasehold for another property, cash in a bank account, a Harley-Davidson motorbike, five vehicles, a personalised numberplate and a number of watches, including two Rolex watches.

Det Insp Mark Fairhurst of Kent Police’s Serious Economic Crime unit (SECU) says: "The Proceeds of Crime Act means we can apply to the courts to recover cash and assets criminals have amassed through illegal means. We can then examine the lifestyle of criminals to determine how they have purchased their houses, cars and other goods."

The SECU investigates, detects and prevents fraudulent criminal activity in Kent. It focuses on various types of fraud involving identity, plastic cards, cash machines and commercial (individuals and businesses). The unit also enforces money laundering laws.

Since the start of 2006, SECU's confiscation figure under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 has reached £8million.

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