Ringleader of Shropshire drug gang earned £4m

One of the ringleaders of an international cannabis smuggling plot run from a Shropshire wholesale flower business was said to have profited by more than £4 million, a court heard.

Baan Klootwijk, 49, a Dutch national, had led the gang which was based at the premises of Baan Flower Trading in Market Drayton.

A lorry that was used for transporting cannabis by those involved in the drug smuggling operation

He, and other members of the plot, have been the subject of extensive Proceeds of Crime inquiries into their share of the profits from the large scale enterprise.

It involved investigations into available funds and potential hidden monies that are unaccounted for, but remain as available assets.

At Stafford Crown Court yesterday Klootwijk's criminal benefit was said to be £4.5 million and his available assets were said to be £200,000.

Judge Michael Chambers QC made a confiscation order giving Klootwijk six months to pay the monies or face an additional 30 months in prison.

The case of the other ringleader, David North, 50, a former soldier, was adjourned until July 16 for a further hearing

Also in court yesterday was dealer Mark Ballinger, 33, from Hampshire, whose benefit from his criminal actions was said to be in the region of £1,245,000.

Judge Chambers imposed a confiscation order in the sum of £45,000 and ordered Ballinger to pay the money by November 20 or face a further 18 months in prison.

In the case of 43-year-old David Berry, of Manchester, it was ruled that his overall criminal benefit was just under £30,000.

Judge Chambers imposed a confiscation order in the sum of £29,458 and gave Berry six months to pay the monies or face a further 15 months in prison.

At an earlier hearing 71-year-old Barrie North was said to have a benefit of £7,000, but his available assets were said to be £1,745. He was given until July 7 to pay the money or face 30 days in prison.

In June last year Klootwijk, of London Road, Nantwich, who had sourced the drugs through contacts in Holland, was jailed for eight years.

David North, of Blore Road, Hales, near Market Drayton, was given seven years.

Both men had pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle drugs into the UK and being involved in the supply of cannabis between November, 2011 and February, 2013.

Ballinger, of Farnborough in Hampshire, who also admitted being involved in the conspiracy, was jailed for 40 months.

Barrie North, of Audlem Road, Woore, near Loggerheads, was jailed for two years.