Wigan drug dealer forced to pay back more than £69,800 of ill-gotten gains to community
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When questioned by police, Melling maintained his innocence, claiming all the cash hidden around his house was just his Christmas money…
Unfortunately for him, detectives were able to link this cash to his criminal activity, and on Friday 9 February 2024 he was court ordered to pay back £69,862.71 of his ill-gotten gains or face further jail time.
He has 3 months to pay or will face a further 12 months imprisonment. Money seized from criminals and distributed to police forces via the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), will be invested into communities across Greater Manchester.
In December 2021 Stewart Melling (19/01/1989) pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class B drugs and was sentenced to 12 months in jail.
This came after an extensive investigation by local Neighbourhood officers in Wigan, who, on Sunday 2 August 2020, executed a warrant at his address in Platt Bridge. Inside the house, they discovered large amounts of cannabis worth almost £45,000, numerous phones, and almost £15,000 cash – all consistent with a drugs operation.
Detective Inspector Pat Wood of GMP Wigan Challenger Organised Crime Group said: “This is just another way we go after criminals. Our specialist Challenger team, who are tackling organised crime, will use all tools available to hit the criminals where it hurts – their pockets – to make sure they cannot continue their lives of luxury once released from jail.
“For us, a conviction alone isn’t enough and these people who have exploited the most vulnerable people in our society to fund their own lavish lifestyles should rightly be made to pay this back so the wider community can benefit.
"We would like to thank the public for their continued support in assisting our work by reporting and sharing information and anyone with information can contact police via LiveChat on our website, www.gmp.police.uk, call 101 or 999 in an emergency, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."