TWO organised crime bosses have been ordered to pay back £221,000 of their ill-gotten gains.

 

Brothers Nicholas and Jason Dean were jailed for eight and a half years and four and a half years respectively last March <<2012>>.

In March 2011, 22 warrants were carried out across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire under Operation Hedge targeting the Class A drugs ring.

Nicholas Dean, 48, of Roman Way, Bicester, admitted conspiracy to supply class A and B controlled drugs.

Jason Dean, 46, of Ash Grove, Headington, admitted possession with intent to supply class A controlled drugs and money laundering.

Following conviction, Thames Valley Police’s Economic Crime Unit investigated their financial background under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Last week at Reading Crown Court, it was determined they benefited from their criminality to a sum of £400,000 between them.

Nicholas Dean was found by the judge to have benefited from £200,000 from his criminal behaviour.

A confiscation order was made for £21,000 of available assets.

Nicholas Dean was ordered to pay this within six months.

If he fails to pay, he will serve a further 18 months and will still be required to repay the money.

Jason Dean was found to have benefited £200,000 from his criminality which he must pay within 28 days or he will serve a further two and a half years and still pay the full amount.

Head of Specialist Operations Det Supt David Poole said: “The Economic Crime Unit began a detailed and complex investigation to prove that the lavish lifestyles they were living had been funded by crime.
“These confiscation orders for £221,000 mean the Deans will have to repay a considerable amount of money or face further prison terms and still have to repay it.”

Thames Valley Police successfully obtained Serious Crime Prevention Orders against both brothers to reduce the risk of them reoffending.