05 November 2013
The Royal Court of Jersey has today (5 November 2013) ordered that £198 million be confiscated from convicted drug dealer, Curtis Warren. This is believed to be one of the largest ever confiscation orders made in the British Isles and Europe.
The case was conducted by the Law Officers’ Department in Jersey. It primarily featured evidence of cocaine trafficking between 1991-1996 which generated significant sums of money. The prosecution was able to show, through evidence obtained by mutual legal assistance from Holland and England, that Warren had shipped cocaine direct from South America into Europe on many occasions.
The shipments ranged from 500 kilograms to multi-tonne consignments. The profits were large: for example two tonnes of cocaine could be sold on the UK market at £40 million wholesale. That is the basis on which the confiscation order was made.
Confiscation proceedings
The confiscation proceedings are the result of several years of extensive investigation into the criminal activities and financial affairs of one of Europe’s most notorious organised criminals. The investigation was complex and has involved highly effective and extensive international cooperation with jurisdictions worldwide and many of Europe’s leading enforcement agencies, including Europol and Interpol.
The investigation has incorporated forensic analysis of hundreds of thousands of documents and encompassed many of the most significant investigations into organised crime and drug trafficking conducted in the UK and Holland over the last two decades. The Law officers' Department is grateful for the assistance received from the Law Enforcement Agencies around the globe, principally in Holland and the UK.
This case is a further example of Jersey’s strong resolve and capability to fight complex organised and financial crime both domestically and on an international scale. Today’s outcome should send a powerful message to those contemplating conducting any such criminal activities within Jersey.
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