Man on the run subjected to proceeds of crime application for his part in a cannabis grow

Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit has secured a POCA order against a man who has been on the run for six years.

Matthew Edward Anderson, 33, was arrested in 2017 by Ellesmere Port CID for his involvement in a large-scale Cannabis grow located at the Brimoto Recycling Centre on Rossbank Road.

Anderson, along with others, was identified through extensive phone analysis and CCTV work and came to be charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug class B (Cannabis), the predicted yield of the grow being in excess of £370,000.00.

He was to be sentenced for his part in the criminal enterprise but failed to attend court and has been on the run ever since, despite police and national agency efforts to locate him.

DS Keeley Powles from the Economic Crime Unit said:

“I started a POCA investigation and found Anderson had equity in a flat he owned in the area and this was subsequently secured. However, in 2019 prior to sentencing Anderson went on the run to Spain which meant that the confiscation proceedings couldn’t be continued. The flat was subsequently sold under repossession and the equity was paid over to Cheshire Police where it has since been sitting in a holding account.

“On 8th April at Chester Crown the judge agreed that the Proceeds of Crime application could be heard and using section 28 under the legislation, the court proceeded in absence of the defendant and in absence of sentencing.

“The Proceeds of Crime case was successful with Anderson’s benefit from his crimes being £108,351.06. The proceeds of the house sale exceeding £30,000 can now be released.

“Criminal funds paid towards a defendant’s confiscation is fed back into the investigating police force. Anderson may have escaped justice, but he hasn’t escaped his POCA.”