Drug dealer who flaunted cash must hand almost £50k
Johannesen was instructed to repay £49,331.14
A drug dealer who filmed himself dancing with wads of cash in his kitchen has been ordered to surrender his illicit earnings under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
Jack Johannesen, 24, from Sandy, is currently serving a two year and 10-month prison sentence for supplying cannabis, crack cocaine, and heroin across Biggleswade and Sandy.
His activities were uncovered when he mistakenly sent a text message about his drug line to a police officer.
At a recent POCA hearing, Johannesen was instructed to repay £49,331.14 obtained during his criminal activity.
He is required to pay £7,535 by May, or face an additional six months behind bars while still being obligated to repay the remaining sum.
Detective Constable Adam Geary, from Bedfordshire Police’s specialist Boson guns and gangs team, said: “Crime does not pay. These cases underline a simple message: you don’t get to keep the profits of crime.
“Even after serving a prison sentence, offenders are pursued for every penny of their ill-gotten gains.
“Delving into drug supply might appear profitable in the short term, but those gains are temporary.
“Officers will continue to track, trace and remove every asset linked to criminal behaviour.”
Another dealer ordered to pay up
In a separate case, Ashley Lewin, 38, was jailed in 2023 for importing cannabis valued at around £50,000 from the United States to various locations in Bedfordshire.
Collaboration between Bedfordshire Police and the UK Border Force led to the interception of parcels and identification of Lewin as the operation coordinator.
Lewin was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to repay £71,629.59 by the court.
Utilising luxury items including a Mercedes CLA, a Rolex watch, jewellery, designer clothing, and nearly £40,000 in cash, Lewin has since settled the amount owed.