A Maryport man who is serving 14 years in prison must pay back more than £172,000 or serve extra jail time.

Financial investigations carried out by the county’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit means Robert McNichol is also facing a significant financial penalty for his drugs crimes.

McNichol, 45, formerly of Greenwood Terrace, Maryport, was one of a number of people jailed last year following an investigation that led to the seizure of large amounts of cocaine and cash.

Detectives behind Operation Limousine put together a case that led to him admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property.

But officers did not stop there. 

Since then investigations have continued to ensure all efforts were made to deprive him of his ill-gotten gains.

Financial enquiries led to a court hearing at which he was ordered to pay back £172,433 – cash ruled to have been acquired by benefiting through crime.

He must pay this within three months or serve two years in prison in default.

Leslie Reid, 62, formerly of St Helens Street, Cockermouth, was another member of the group.

He was jailed for two years at the sentencing in November last year after being convicted of money laundering and possession of criminal property. 

At the latest hearing, Reid was ordered to pay £4,499 – cash also ruled to have been acquired through criminal benefit. He must pay within three months or serve four months in jail.

The orders were made at a Proceeds of Crime hearing at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday, September 28.

This work forms part of Operation Alliance – Cumbria Constabulary’s ongoing response to protect the county against serious and organised crime.

Detective Inspector Duncan Brooker said: “This result demonstrates that where criminals have clearly profited from their illegal enterprises, we won’t stop at conviction.

“We will keep going and do all we can to strip them of their ill-gotten gains and take what they really care about – their cash.

“Significant, meticulous investigations have been carried out by our economic crime department into this case.

“Others involved in such criminality should sit up and take notice.”

Do you have information about drugs crime?

Anyone with information can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it 

You can also phone on 101.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.