Convicted drug dealer ordered to pay back more than £85,000

A convicted drug dealer from Canterbury has been ordered to pay back more than £85,000 of ill-gotten gains.

On the morning of Tuesday 19 September 2023 Kent Police officers executed a warrant at a property in Blean where they seized cocaine, cannabis bud, a knuckle duster, digital scales and a quantity of cash. They also seized mobile phones, sim cards and laptops.

At the time officers estimated the drugs to have a street value of around £32,800 and following enquiries Paul Moat, 37 of St Michaels Crescent, Canterbury, was arrested and charged in connection with the investigation.

He later pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court in December 2023 where he was jailed for 4 years and 6 months.

Police financial investigators went onto review Moat’s finances and assets, and established he had made money from being involved in supplying class A and class B drugs.

At Canterbury Crown Court on Friday 31 July 2026, a confiscation order for £86, 863 was granted. Moat must pay it back within three months or face spending an additional 9 months behind bars and will still have to pay.

Detective Inspector David Godfrey said: ‘Drug dealers create misery for vulnerable people and local communities, and they should not be allowed to financially benefit through their criminality. ‘Our financial investigators are able to look at how much a person has benefited from their offending and using the powers of the Proceeds of Crime Act, the courts can remove any remaining assets or funds still owned by them.’