THE home of a Merseyside drug dealer who was jailed last year will be put up for auction by police – ensuring his ill-gotten gains will ultimately help officers continue to tackle organised crime.

Graeme Minards, 39, formerly of Hilary Avenue, Roby, was caught as part of an extensive investigation as part of Operation Venetic, which aims to target criminals who used a mobile encryption device to try and evade detection.

He was jailed for 21 years at Liverpool Crown Court on April 12 last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import heroin and cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine, ketamine, amphetamine and cannabis.

Minards, who used the Encrochat handle 'Calmtea', distributed cocaine, heroin and cannabis on an industrial scale, moving vast quantities of drugs across the UK, including during the Covid pandemic.

Between March 27, 2020 and June 12, 2020, he conspired to supply more than 1,000kg of Class A drugs, and discussed with his co-accused the purchase of fleets of commercial vehicles through fake companies to transport the drugs and help cover up their criminal activity.

It has been estimated that each kilo of cocaine had a wholesale value of between £35,000 to £39,500 and each kilo of heroin was worth between £15,750 to £18,000.

Merseyside Police said Minards had lived a lavish lifestyle and following his arrest, a significant number of items were seized from his home under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including Balenciaga trainers, Versace sliders, a Prada coat, Louis Vuitton bags and Christian Louboutin shoes.

And following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing this week, the home on Hilary Avenue itself is to be put up for auction.

Detective Sergeant James Boardman said: "Minards used the pandemic to enjoy a lavish lifestyle at the expense of vulnerable people across the country.

"But that lifestyle was short-lived. He continues to serve a lengthy prison sentence, and now the extravagant designer purchases he made and even the home he lived in have been taken from him. The proceeds will in part go to Merseyside Police to tackle crime and protect the public.

"I hope his incarceration and the sale of his home will send a clear message that crime does not pay, and we are committed to stopping those who try to profit from the sale of illegal drugs.

"Despite the increasing number of people sentenced for these crimes across Merseyside our work still continues along with law enforcement agencies across the world, to pursue anyone who tries to forge a lifestyle that destroys lives and families."