I spent the lot says £90m drug smuggler
An ice-cream man who masterminded a £90million cannabis smuggling ring told a court he thought that he would never be caught or have to pay back a penny of his ill-gotten gains.
The Crown Prosecution Service is trying to reclaim cash Michael Hartshorne used to fund a lavish lifestyle. The 44-year-old, of Cemetery Road, Lye, Stourbridge, was in charge of the UK end of an operation linked to the Netherlands which brought millions of pounds of cannabis to the West Midlands between 2004 and 2006, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
He was also involved in bringing contraband cigarettes to the region.
However, Hartshorne, who is a year into an 11-year sentence for the importation of controlled drugs, yesterday told the court he had not saved any of the money he made from the scheme.
Judge Nicholas Webb, addressing Hartshorne after a full day giving evidence, said: "You knew what you were doing was unlawful and you knew that one day you might be caught."
Hartshorne replied: "I never thought I would be caught, to be honest with you. Not me." Judge Webb added: "The thought never crossed your mind, that you would be caught?" Hartshorne said: "No."
The CPS says Hartshorne must have hidden assets, given the value of drugs involved, and was revealing in court today how much money it hopes to recover from Hartshorne. He denies that he has cash stashed away, saying he squandered it on a gambling habit, fast cars, jewellery for his wife and a £5,000 cruise.
A courier in the smuggling gang, Alastair MacKenzie-Crow, 53, of Brook Lane, Cradley Heath, has already been ordered to repay more than £76,000 in the next six months. He is a year into a six-year sentence.
His accomplice and girlfriend Sarah Chater, 42, of St Neots, Cambridgeshire, was ordered to pay £114.25 of the £50,000 she made.
The Proceeds of Crime hearing continues.
