(Image: Alamy/PA)
A financial investigator’s work was key in proving the scale of big-time drug dealer Benjamin Dack’s crime, police have revealed.
The 28-year-old cannabis seller used several techniques to try and hide his drug profits including taking payment in cryptocurrency as well as cash.
But financial investigator Amy Monkman managed to uncover them and show how he was making tens of thousands of pounds.
Detective Constable Alfie Thomlinson from North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team said: “Throughout numerous interviews, Dack either remained silent or no comment but the evidence spoke for itself - Dack was heavily involved in the supply of cannabis on a large scale.
Big time cannabis dealer Benjamin Dack (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
“The extensive work carried out by our financial investigator Amy Monkman cannot be understated and has been key in providing evidence of drug dealing and the money made.
“We are pleased with today's outcome, but our work does not stop there - we will continue to take a firm stance against drug-related crime in our area and work closely with community partners to reduce the irrefutable harm caused by drugs, especially its impact on vulnerable people in our communities.”
Amy Monkman said: “As part of the investigation, access to the defendant’s phone indicated use of cryptocurrency and we were able to identify transactions linked to the buying and selling of drugs using cryptocurrency for payment.
“Cryptocurrency is becoming a popular method for concealing assets and disguising the movement of funds.
“North Yorkshire Police have the tools to investigate the use of cryptocurrency and seize criminal funds - our Economic Crime Unit are committed to ensuring any benefit from criminality is identified and seized, depriving criminals of their ill-gotten gains.
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Dack, of no fixed address, will return to York Crown Court next March for an assets confiscation hearing as the prosecution authorities try to strip him off his criminal profits.