A13 van driver caught with cash ordered to pay back £800,000

Lee Smith, 46, had the role of collecting cash for criminal networks when he was stopped by police on the A13 following intelligence around his van being connected with drug supply offences.

The vehicle was searched and officers located two bags containing cash counting machines as well as bundles of cash in a rear compartment of the van. The bundles of cash were wrapped in cling film and labelled with with ‘100k’ or ‘70k’.

Smith, of Longwood Gardens, Ilford, claimed he had hired the van to carry out a new delivery job and was "visiting his aunt" in Basildon. However, enquiries revealed he played a small role in a larger drugs gang. 

Smith had the role of collecting cash for criminal networks (Image: Essex Police)

He admitted two counts of transferring criminal property and was handed a suspended sentence in August last year.

At a confiscation hearing at Basildon Crown Court last Wednesday, it was determined that Smith’s criminal benefit was £939,917.04. He was ordered to pay back £791,214.90 by August 28 or face five years in prison.  

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Alison Hooper from the serious economic crime unit said: “Our Proceeds of Crime Team ensure that following the criminal proceedings, defendants are held accountable for the money made from crime.

“A career in crime with always catch up with you. Being involved in drug supply offences can be portrayed by organised crime nominals as a way to make quick, large amounts of money.

“This is not the case and in Essex, we continue to work to tackle drug related criminality, taking drugs off the streets and out of the hands of vulnerable people.

“The proceeds of crime recovered in this case form part of the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme and is reinvested across the criminal justice network to reduce crime, protecting communities and continue to deliver justice.”