Middleton man told to pay back over £218,000 from drug profits or face prison

Thursday, 19 June 2025 11:41

By David Murphy

£90,000 vintage Ford seized by police. Source: Greater Manchester Police

A Middleton man caught growing and supplying drugs has been ordered to repay over £218,000 after a dramatic court turnaround revealed the true scale of his criminal wealth.

A convicted drug dealer who claimed he only made £3,800 from his crimes has been told to pay back more than £218,000, or serve an extra three years in prison.

Lee Whiteley, 35, of Alkrington Road North, Middleton, admitted in November 2023 to conspiracy to supply class B drugs and cannabis cultivation. While he initially received a suspended sentence, Greater Manchester Police’s Economic Crime Unit launched a full financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

This week, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court granted a confiscation order for £218,443. Police had traced the cash to his drug activity, including three properties purchased with illegal funds and high-value items such as a £90,000 Ford Cosworth, a £50,000 Transit van, and a £3,000 e-bike.

Financial Investigator Kelly Belfield said: “This case shows that crime doesn’t pay, and we’ll use every legal tool to strip offenders of their profits. What started as a £3,800 case has ended in a six-figure payback.”

If Whiteley fails to pay up within three months, he will serve a three year jail term and still be required to hand over the money by selling off his assets.

The recovered funds will be invested into local services through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), which allows communities to benefit directly from money seized from crime.

Belfield added: “These cases do more than punish offenders, they fund vital community programmes and send a strong message that dirty money has nowhere to hide.”

The case follows a similar ruling in May when jailed drugs ringleader Umair Zaheer was ordered to repay £350,000 after being imprisoned for 25 years.