A WIGTON cannabis dealer has been stripped of his £120,000 profits – cash he was hiding in the home of his unwitting parents.

Described as a “career’ dealer of the Class B drug, Stewart Tonks, 49, had amassed huge sums of cash, much of it stashed at the home of his parents, which police raided as part of their investigation.

In July last year, officers seized £146,450 in cash from the home of his parents, although the prosecution accepted that £26,000 of it legitimately belonged to the couple.

His parents were unware that Tonks was storing criminal cash in their home. When his case came to court, Tonks admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing criminal property – the cash connected to his dealing.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Tonks, who has now been released from the two year jail term he was given, was made a subject of an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which aims to strip criminals of their illicit profits.

Judge Nicholas Barker told the defendant that he had benefitted from his crimes to the tune of £124,662. But the money available for the court to seize was £120,000, money currently being held by the police.

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Judge Nicholas Barker ruled that the defendant would have to serve a year in jail if the money was not surrendered, though he commented that the jail term was "academic" given that police already have the cash.

But, said the judge, should Tonks come into possession of more money, he will still be liable to pay the £4,662 that is outstanding.

The drugs seized and drugs paraphernalia that police also seized during a series of raids linked to the investigation will be destroyed.

The original sentencing hearing heard that Tonks, of Union Street, Wigton, had  previous class B drug supply crimes on his record which dated back to 1995 and 2009. He was caught out again on the morning of July 31 last year when police raided his home.

Officers arrived and noticed a “pungent odour” of cannabis, the prosecutor Julian Goode told the court. With the help of a drugs dog, police found more than 104g of cannabis in a red Celebrations tub, and more in a drawer.

The total potential street value was estimated to be £1,182. Officers also found a cannabis grinder, digital scales, snap bags and a smart. On the same morning, police raised the home of Tonks’ parents.

They seized a large quality of cash in bundles of £10 and £20 notes was recovered.

“The defendant’s mother stated she had obtained the money from the TSB bank before it shut down in Wigton," said Mr Goode. "She didn’t have bank statements."

More cash was seized from safes. Officers asked who the safes belonged to and the defendant’s mother whispered: “They’re Stewart’s’.”

The judge said Tonks was clearly dealing over a lengthy period  and the £120,000 reflected how seriously he took that dealing as he had no way of earning such a large amount of money legitimately.

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