A 45-year-old man from Hedge End has been jailed for six years for drugs supply and fraud offences, dating back to 2010.

After a five-week trial at Southampton Crown Court, James Alexander Green, of Berrywood Gardens, was found guilty on the following five counts;

•    Being concerned in the supply of cannabis between Friday 1 January 2010 and Saturday 1 June 2019
•    Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation between Friday 1 January 2010 and Monday 30 August 2010
•    Transferring criminal property (money) between Monday 31 May 2010 and Friday 30 October 2015
•    Concealing criminal property (£341K cash, silver ingot, watches)
•    Possessing class B with intent to supply on Tuesday 11 June 2019

A second man – a 45-year-old from Surrey – was found guilty of converting criminal property (money) between Monday 31 May 2010 and Friday 30 October 2015 and conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

Paul Green, of Westfield Avenue, Woking was sentenced to a total of 26 months’ imprisonment.

Reflecting on the background of the case and outcome at court, Detective Constable David Thomas, of the South East Cyber Crime Unit, said: “This outcome really highlights the great collaboration between ourselves and HMRC in putting these two men behind bars.

“The investigation first started back in November 2018 when HMRC completed an illicit tobacco operation in Southampton.

“During that operation, they identified a storage facility being rented by James Green.

“Upon then gaining access, they recovered £351,000 in cash and sovereign coins, along with other listed assets.

“James Green stated the money was derived from employment as a life coach and other savings.

“The cash was subsequently sent for drug testing, at which point high levels of cannabis were traced.”

It was at this point that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary became involved in the case, as DC Thomas explains.

He said: “We then conducted a warrant on Berrywood gardens on Tuesday 11 June 2019. During this, we recovered 1.9kg of herbal cannabis, evidence of drug supply and yearly diaries from 2010 to 2018.

“The diaries had been submitted by James Green on a yearly basis to his accountant, falsely claiming life coach appointments and earnings.

“Phone evidence also identified multi-kilo dealing of cannabis over several years.

“And, in relation to the Berrywood Gardens address, mortgage and conveyance records showed that the lender had been misled as to the true identity of deposit fees and who would reside in the property. Evidence showed at least £166,000 in criminal money had been used to fund the mortgage which was paid off 10 years early.”

On the success at court, DC Thomas said: “This case shows the brilliant results that joint-working can achieve, and I am delighted to see these two men placed behind bars for a substantial period of time, where they can reflect upon their crimes.

“This should also send out a clear message to anyone else thinking of doing anything similar that they will not get away with it – we will always do everything we can to seek justice.

“And to those who have already committed similar offences, let it be known that we will still work tirelessly to bring you before the courts, no matter how much time has elapsed since the crimes were first committed.”

*Before trial James Green had already pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply the 1.9kg of herbal cannabis, being concerned in the supply of cannabis (basis of plea not accepted) money laundering regarding the £351,000 in the storage facility (basis of plea not accepted).

*Police are seeking confiscation and HMRC forfeiture proceedings against the defendants to recover the proceeds of crime.