Maidstone drug dealer ordered to pay back almost £90,000
James Steel must pay back seized assets or face further jail time
A convicted drug dealer from Maidstone has been ordered to repay £87,943 following an investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
James Steel, 41, of Chartway Street, Sutton Valence, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison in December 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, possession of cannabis, and possessing criminal property.
A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation conducted by Kent Police found Steel had benefited by £674,180 from his criminal activities. Financial investigators identified available assets worth £87,943, comprising more than £57,000 in cash seized during his arrest along with high-value items such as a speedboat, motorbikes, and other vehicles.
On Tuesday 9th December 2025, Maidstone Crown Court granted a confiscation order to recover these ill-gotten gains. Steel has been given three months to repay the amount or face an additional two years in prison.
Detective Inspector Dave Godfrey from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate welcomed the ruling.
“Steel along with his co-conspirators were making a considerable profit from their criminal enterprise and it is pleasing the court has ordered the confiscation of money and other items of value he had accrued,” Godfrey said.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act continues to be an important tool in our efforts to target organised criminals and it comes with the sanction of additional time in prison if the full funds are not forthcoming.
“We can then continue to use the legislation should the offender come into possession of cash or other items of value at a later stage.”
The confiscation ruling is part of Kent Police’s ongoing work to ensure criminals do not profit from their illegal activities.