Thousands seized from Reading drug dealers

More than £100,000 has been seized from two Reading drug dealers.

Thames Valley Police’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU) were today granted orders to seize £173,166.90 from Paul Sterling and £9,950 from Paul Jump after both were jailed for drug dealing last year.

Early last year officers carried out intelligence drugs surveillance and test purchases close to Mandela Court and Arthur Place in Orts Road.

A series of warrants were executed in May and 20 people were arrested in connection with supplying class B drugs. Drugs with a street value of about £63,000 were found in premises.

Following a trial at Reading Crown Court, the organisers of the drug gang Paul Jump, 47, from Arthur Place; Paul Sterling, 56, from Mandela Court; Warren Parkes, 45, from Arthur Place; and Nicholas Walker, 38, from Avon Place, were all convicted and jailed for between seven and nine years.

Phillip Croxson, financial investigator, from the ECU, said: “This case shows that Thames Valley Police will use Proceeds of Crime legislation to have a powerful impact upon criminals operating within the community.

"By removing cash earned from drug dealing activity, and pursuing convicted criminals for other assets through the confiscation process, the message is that crime does not pay in Thames Valley."