A man from Radstock, who was jailed for producing cannabis, has been ordered to pay £100,000 after a confiscation hearing at Bristol Crown Court.
John Chedgy, aged 50, of Radstock was handed the confiscation order by the Recorder of Bristol HHJ Ford QC on Thursday (14th July).
Chedgy’s available assets, worth more than £464,000 were made up of two houses, four vehicles (including a Walls ice cream van) and money held in the bank.
All of these assets have been restrained whilst this POCA investigation was completed.
Chedgy will have to pay the total value of the order within three months or face an additional year behind bars.
Chedgy was convicted in October last year after officers patrolling a few months earlier in July noticed tell-tale signs of cannabis production at his house in Radstock.
Officers first noticed a strong smell of cannabis, which got stronger as they approached the house, as well as silver foil over rear property windows.
The officers knocked on the door to speak to Chedgy who, when asked by the officers, admitted to growing cannabis.
More than 290 plants were seized and electricity bills totalling £2,271.58 for 12 months.
DC Geoff Smith, financial investigator, said: “We are committed to seizing all assets that criminals have gained as a result of crime.
“It is not acceptable that criminals benefit from illegal activities and we will relentlessly pursue them through the courts to ensure their money is taken.
“By doing this we show criminals that they will not benefit from crime and deter others from entering a life of crime.”