The ringleader of a drugs gang who was on the run for two years has been ordered to pay back over £40,000 of his ill-gotten gains.
Dean Garforth (32), whose last known address was Regency Park, Widnes, used the EncroChat communications network to discuss with other criminals the supply of substantial amounts of Class A and Class B drugs.
His encrypted data was analysed by detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) from March 2020 to July 2020, after it was cracked by international law enforcement.
Following a detailed investigation, the team conducted a warrant at Garforth’s home address before discovering that he had fled the country to Spain and was actively evading arrest.
Over the next two years, officers spent hundreds of hours searching for Garforth, working closely with their law enforcement colleagues in Spain.
A public appeal to trace Garforth was issued in January 2022, when the NCA and Crimestoppers launched a new Most Wanted campaign featuring 12 fugitives who were believed to be hiding in Spain.
On Monday, October 24, 2022, Garforth was riding an e-bike on a street in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, when he was arrested in a pre-planned operation.
When he realised plain-clothed officers were closing in, Garforth, who was wearing sports clothes, sunglasses, and a cap, rode the bike into an officer and resisted arrest.
He was located and arrested after an operation by the National Crime Agency, Spanish National Police, and Cheshire Police.
Garforth was subsequently extradited from Spain to the UK in March 2023. On his return, he was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and conspiracy to supply weapons and ammunition.
He appeared at Chester Crown Court in January 2024, where he was sentenced to 19 years and six months imprisonment.
Following his sentencing, Financial Investigators at Cheshire Police embarked on an extensive confiscation investigation into the lifestyle of Garforth.
Through this thorough and extensive investigation police were able to show that Garforth had benefitted by around £1,530,000 from his criminal lifestyle.
Of the money gained officers were able to prove that he was still in possession of £40,331.00 worth of assets. These included 50 per cent of the equity in his home and the value of his KTM off road motorcycle.
Following the investigation, Garforth was called back to Chester Crown Court on February 11 and ordered to pay this sum back.
Detective chief inspector Nick Henderson said: “The Confiscation Order in this case sends a strong message that Cheshire Constabulary takes the recovery of the Proceeds of Crime seriously.
“It highlights the importance of asset recovery considerations, running throughout an investigation to maximise the opportunities to recover significant sums, derived from criminality.
“The Financial Investigator in this case worked tirelessly to accomplish this result through a tenacious and diligent approach to the investigation, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of asset recovery.”
