A DRUG DEALER who took money laundering quite literally has been ordered to repay more than £23,000 or face jail time.

Joseph Leslie Pitts, of Sparrows Lane in Eltham, was sentenced earlier this year for drug dealing after officers found £23,280 in cash hidden in a safe in his dishwasher.

The 27-year-old was ordered to pay back £23,567 under the Proceeds of Crime Act within 28 days at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday (Dec 16).

But the cash seized from Pitts’ address counts towards the total – meaning he must pay only the remaining £287.

Police stopped Pitts in his car in Sidcup in August 2011 after he was found with a small bag of cannabis.

The vehicle was searched and officers discovered 17 small self-seal bags of cannabis were found. Police searched his address and found a further 14 bags containing cannabis as well as other drugs paraphernalia, including digital weighing scales.

Officers also found a stun gun disguised as a mobile phone.

News Shopper:

Pitts was charged in July 2012 with two counts of possession with intent to supply cannabis, two counts of possession of cannabis, possession of criminal property and possession of a stun gun.

He admitted to the drugs offences, but was convicted of all the offences and jailed for 16 months in August this year.

Detective Sergeant Michael McElroy from the MPS Criminal Finance Team said: "This case has been lengthy and difficult, but meticulous investigation has ensured justice has been done.

"Pitts denied the money was his and produced witnesses whom he claimed the money belonged to - but their evidence was not found to be credible.

"The Criminal Finance Team, working closely with local officers, will rigorously use the Proceeds of Crime legislation to ensure that drug dealers and other criminals are not allowed to enjoy the fruits of their illegal labour."