A dealer has been ordered to forfeit his designer clothes, worth more than £8,000, after he was convicted of supplying Class A drugs.

Gucci accessories, Valentino trainers, a Dolce & Gabanna bag, a Moschino trainers and a Prada jacket were just some of the high-value items seized from 21-year-old Ryan Montgomery by Operation Raptor.

Basildon Crown Court heard how officers from the South Operation Raptor team were patrolling in Little Lullaway, Laindon on December 9 last year when they became suspicious of the occupants of a Hyundai car.

After watching a suspected drug deal take place, the officers stopped the car on Church Hill, Laindon and search Montgomery who was driving.

Echo:

Montgomery instantly told officers he had drugs concealed in his pants and handed over a bag containing two grams of cocaine as well as a mobile phone linking him to drug supply.

He was arrested and officers then carried out a search of his home in Cromer Avenue, Basildon. There they found 11.8grams of cocaine hidden in a bedside drawer, a 23-inch machete and drug dealing paraphernalia including weighing scales, boxes and bags containing what is believed to be cocaine and spoons covered in white powder.

During the search of Montgomery’s home officers also seized designer clothing which they believed had been bought with cash earnt from his criminal activity.

Montgomery was charged and pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.

He was jailed for 28-months at Basildon Crown Court and was also ordered to forfeit his designer clothes.

Following the sentencing, investigating officer PC Dan Onley of the South Operation Raptor team said: “Anyone who thinks life as a drug dealer is a glamorous one is sorely mistaken.

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“Montgomery may have been able to buy himself some designer clothes, but they have all been taken from him and, in any case, he won’t need designer clothes where he’s going – prison.

“Not only will Operation Raptor continue to seek out those individuals who have the mistaken believe that they can deal drugs in our county – they can’t.

“But when we do arrest these individuals we will ensure we seize all of the proceeds of their criminal activity, whether that’s drugs or designer clothing – it doesn’t pay to commit crime in Essex.”

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the North, South and West of the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime.

If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Montgomery was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Friday 14 February.