A haulage boss serving eight years for drug dealing has been ordered to pay £45,000 from his illegal profits.
John Pickering was jailed in March after police found more than £100,000 worth of cocaine and drugs hidden in the office of his Tyne and Wear transport business.
A kilo of amphetamines and 2,000 amphetamine tablets were also discovered at Pickering's home in Cromwell Avenue, Winlaton, near Gateshead.
Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court, the businessman admitted six charges of possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He claimed he was storing the amphetamines for someone he would not name.
Returning to the same court from prison for a confiscation hearing on Friday 3 August, Pickering was informed that financial investigations estimated he had benefited by £45,000 from his illegal activities.
"Pickering will now owe this money for the rest of his life," said Detective Constable Andy Lee, a financial investigator with Northumbria Police. "Any future assets he acquires will be seized until the £45,000 is paid in full."
Released from prison in 2002 for a previous drug-dealing offence, Pickering launched J&J Haulage with just one vehicle. When his business boomed he began taking cocaine to ease the pressure of managing his 10-truck fleet.
At the height of his addiction he was spending £2,000 a week on drugs while his business - based at High Spen near Gateshead - bought him a Range Rover and a luxury Mercedes. To maintain his lifestyle he began dealing again.
He was eventually caught as part of Northumbria Police's Operation Avalanche which targeted drug activity on Gateshead housing estates.
Related used vehicles for sale
