Drug-dealer who hid cocaine in coffee tin ordered to pay back more than £50,000

A man found with cocaine in a coffee tin in his Mercedes has been ordered to pay back more than £50,000 of the money he made through drug-dealing.

Martin Bradshaw, from Wigan, was jailed in February 2022 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, possession with intent to supply a class A controlled drug and facilitating the acquisition/possession of criminal property. A court heard how the 33-year-old was first spotted by police 'driving erratically' in his Mercedes Benz on February 5, 2020.

Bradshaw sped off from the scene but the car was found shortly after on Higher Lane in Aspull. Due to intelligence linking the vehicle to the supply of drugs, officers later forced entry into the vehicle and seized bank cards and a coffee tin containing cocaine.

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Two burner phones, which contained details linking to drug supply, were also seized. On June 7, Bradshaw handed himself in at Wigan Police Station and was subsequently arrested.

It was discovered that Bradshaw had purchased a static caravan in Blackpool using money likely gained from the supply of drugs. The caravan and the Mercedes were both seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Bradshaw was jailed for three years and six months in February last year. He was also banned from driving for three years and nine months.

On Thursday (April 27), he was ordered to pay back the money gained through his drug-dealing enterprise at a court hearing. He must pay back £51,667.88.

Detective Inspector Patrick Wood of GMP's Wigan District Tasking Team, said: "We're pleased with today's result - and hopefully this sends a powerful message to those thinking they can get away with this type