Penrith man ordered to forfeit £86,470 from drug plot

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 08:47 · Archive

A Penrith man jailed for ten years over a cocaine conspiracy masterminded by an Albanian gang must forfeit £86,470.

Andrew Bell, 37, from Penrith, has been ordered to forfeit £86,470 following a Proceeds of Crime hearing at Carlisle Crown Court. The judge ruled that his benefit from the drug conspiracy totalled £308,988.

Bell was jailed for ten years in November last year after playing a pivotal part in a drugs plot masterminded by an Albanian crime gang with roots in southern England. The conspiracy was uncovered when police intercepted a delivery of a 1kg block of high-purity cocaine sourced from a South American cartel. The drug was being transported by his co-defendant Eyup Bayram, 36, who drove from Dorset in a Mercedes E220 disguised as a taxi. Police observed Bayram position the vehicle near Bell's home in Penrith before Bell walked to it carrying a bag containing almost £27,000 in cash. Bell then collected the cocaine consignment and was driven to his house.

Bayram was said to have benefitted from the conspiracy to the tune of £190,497. Judge Michael Fanning ruled that Bayram's available assets were £26,940, which must also be forfeited.

Both men will face an additional year in jail if they fail to sign over the assets demanded by the court.

How it is being reported

• Cumbrian dad embroiled in Albanian gang's drug supply plot 'benefited by £300,000'Penrith dad Andrew Bell must forfeit £86,470 after cocaine plot masterminded by an Albanian gang; court says his crime benefit exceeded £300,000.Westmorland Gazette · 2 Nov, 08:16
• Cumbrian dad embroiled in Albanian gang's drug supply plot 'benefited by £300,000'Penrith dad Andrew Bell must forfeit £86,470 after cocaine plot masterminded by an Albanian gang; court says his crime benefit exceeded £300,000.NW Evening Mail · 2 Nov, 08:16
• Cumbrian dad embroiled in Albanian gang's drug supply plot 'benefited by £300,000'Penrith dad Andrew Bell must forfeit £86,470 after cocaine plot masterminded by an Albanian gang; court says his crime benefit exceeded £300,000.Cumberland News · 2 Nov, 06:00

In this story: Andrew Bell · Eyup Bayram · Penrith · Carlisle Crown Court · Albanian crime gang · Dorset

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