Canvey builder and drug trafficker must pay £1.2 million in three months

Jason Warner, 49, from Cambridge Road, Canvey, was given a confiscation order totalling £1,220,192 at Kingston Crown Court on Monday.

Warner, who is serving an eight year prison term for conspiracy to supply drugs and money laundering, was warned he would serve up to a further seven years in prison if he failed to pay the full sum within three months.

The drugs in the safe 

Officers from the Organised Crime Partnership – a joint National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police Service unit – arrested Warner in October 2018 for supplying multiple kilos of cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines across London and Essex.

Financial investigators found that between October 2012 and September 2018 Warner deposited £208,000 cash into his bank accounts.

Although some of these cash deposits could be explained through cash-paid building work, rental income and gambling winnings, the court decided that £182,000 was part of his benefit from criminal conduct.

22.4 kilograms of Amphetamine was recovered 

The court also found Warner had benefited by £644,000 after officers found this amount stashed in David Corentin's car, on his person on arrest and in a safe in Dennis Jacob’s home.

Officers recovered 9.5 kilograms of cocaine, 3,435 MDMA pills, 22.4 kilograms of Amphetamine, 26.5 kilograms of cannabis and 8 kilos of benzocaine – a cutting agent – as part of the investigation.

They suspected the drugs were bought with cash generated from previous consignments.

Warner admitted four counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison in June 2019.

Former RAF sergeant Corentin, 33, of Lighterman Road, Rainham, and Jacob, 72, of Carnation Close, Romford – were also jailed for money laundering.

The available amount to satisfy the confiscation order included cash seized, money held in bank accounts and equity in property.

Blocks of drugs 

Head of the OCP, Det Chief Insp Tony O’Sullivan, said: “Criminals like Warner, Jacobs and Corentin are motivated by money, which is why we use all the tools available to hit them where it hurts – in the pocket.

“Confiscation orders are a key tool in allowing us to pursue illegally-obtained assets and preventing convicted criminals from funding luxury lifestyles on their release.

“By working together, the NCA and Met Police are taking away profits from the criminals who cause harm in our communities and ensuring they face justice.”

On the same day at the same court, confiscation orders were also given to Corentin for £16,190, and Jacobs for £2,190.

Jason Warner