A DRUG dealer jailed over the possession of class A substances with intent to supply has been ordered to pay £8,052 under the proceeds of crime procedure.

Ryan Cowell, 22, received a prison sentence of three years and four months at Durham Crown Court earlier this year, as well as being banned from driving for 12 months.

It followed his admissions to charges of possessing both cocaine and MDMA (Ecstasy) with intent to supply, plus driving while disqualified and without insurance, at a plea hearing at the court, last November.

The offences arose after he was subject of a stop and search procedure by police, while at the wheel of a black Seat Leon, in Cherrytree Road, Chester-le-Street, on January 30, last year.

Officers recovered eight small plastic bags containing white powder, which on subsequent analysis was confirmed to be cocaine.

Police then went on to search Cowell’s home where 18 ecstasy tablets were found, plus a small amount of cocaine, hidden behind the skirting board in the kitchen.

When Cowell was sentenced at the court, on Friday, January 8 this year, he received both three years and four months, concurrently, for the two class A drug offences, plus two months, also concurrently, for driving while subject to a ban, with no separate penalty for being uninsured.

Proceeds of Crime Act procedure was also put in place to see what amount could be confiscated from the defendant.

He was back in court for what was listed as a Proceeds of Crime case management and directions hearing.

Tony Davis, representing Cowell, told the court, however: “It was listed for a directions hearing, with a finalised hearing to be staged at some date in future, but, due to the diligence of the Crown and my assisting solicitors, the matter can now be resolved.”

Paul Abrahams, for the Crown, said the estimated benefit figure from Cowell’s illegal activity was initially put at more than £30,000, but it has been revised down to a finalised figure of £29,929.93.

The amount available for confiscation from the defendant was initially put at £7,812, but has been revised upwards and agreed as £8,052.

Mr Abrahams said the extra custodial period in default of payment would be between nine and 12 months.

Judge Christopher Prince agreed to a proceeds of crime confiscation of £8,052, giving the defendant three months to arrange the payment, from behind bars, or risk an extra nine months in custody, in default.