Drugs man ordered to pay back record sum

David Alexander Black, 50, formerly of Landalewood Road, Clifton Moor, York, is currently serving a 10-year jail sentence after being found guilty of drug dealing in March last year.

After the case, North Yorkshire Police's Financial Investigation Unit launched an inquiry into Black's finances and discovered a house, bank accounts, and numerous high value vehicles including a black Humvee and mobile party wagon, funded by his drugs empire.

Following a two-day confiscation hearing at York Crown Court which finished yesterday, Black has been ordered to pay back 354,500 to North Yorkshire Police within six months and warned if he fails to comply with the order, he will serve an extra three-and-a-half years in prison without the possibility of parole and will also still be liable to pay.

Det Insp Ian Wills, head of North Yorkshire Police's Financial Investigation Unit, said: "This is a major success for North Yorkshire Police, not only in securing the conviction of a man who orchestrated a large drug dealing operation, but it also demonstrates that we have the capacity and capability to vigorously pursue and confiscate those assets obtained through criminality.

"It sends a very clear message to the criminal world that not only will they face the full force of the law, but we will use the Proceeds of Crime Act to its full potential to hit them where it hurts the most – their pocket."

During the court case Black was described as being the "main player" and the "money man" behind the drugs conspiracy and used others to collect the drugs from Leeds and store them in a safe house in York, prior to distribution.