Police Find Dirty Drugs Cash In Dishwasher

A drug dealer, who laundered over £23,000 inside his kitchen dishwasher, has had the cash confiscated and will be unable to enjoy his illicit profits when released from prison.

Joseph Leslie Pitts, 27, of Sparrows Lane, Eltham failed to wash the cash, which was seized from inside a safe (pic.bottom), hidden inside the appliance.

On Monday at Woolwich Crown Court an order was made under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which requires Pitt to surrender £23,567 or serve an additional term of custody.

He was arrested on August 30, 2011 after police searched his vehicle in Sidcup and after finding a small bag containing cannabis discovered another 17 self-seal bags, totalling 25 gms of the drug.

Another bag of cannabis was later found hidden in his clothing when he was searched at the police station. 



Police search Pitts' home and 14 self seal bags containing 19 grams of cannabis were found, along with other drugs paraphernalia, including digital weighing scales and a quantity of empty self-seal bags ready for use. 



Officers also found a stun gun disguised as a mobile phone and the cash inside the safe.

Following a lengthy investigation, Pitts was charged in July, last year with two counts of possession, with intent to supply cannabis, two counts of possession of cannabis, possession of criminal property and possession of a stun gun.

He was eventually convicted of the offences at the same court and on August 5 was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Michael McElroy from the Metropolitan Police Service's Criminal Finance Team said: “This case has been lengthy and difficult, but meticulous investigation has ensured justice has been done.

“Pitts denied the money was his and produced witnesses whom he claimed the money belonged to - but their evidence was not found to be credible. 



“The Criminal Finance Team, working closely with local officers, will rigorously use the Proceeds of Crime legislation to ensure that drug dealers and other criminals are not allowed to enjoy the fruits of their illegal labour.”