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A convicted drug supplier who was storing and selling kilos of Class A drugs internationally from his own home has been ordered to repay more than £80,000 or spend more time in jail.

Michael Doyle is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence.

Following a confiscation hearing at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday (March 27), Michael Doyle, 46, from Bickerstaffe, Lancashire, was ordered to pay £83,395.00, found to include equity in two properties, and in cash seized on his arrest. The order was issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

If Doyle fails to repay the full amount, then he will serve a further 12 months in prison. He is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence after being found guilty in June 2022 as part of Merseyside Police's response to Operation Venetic, an international operation targeting criminals who used a mobile encryption, commonly referred to as Encrochat, in an attempt to evade detection when dealing drugs.

Examples of images sent by Doyle on his encrypted phone.

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Sign up for our free newsletters now During the investigation, Doyle was identified by officers as the user of EncroChat handle "battle-hawk", and was shown to conspire to supply significant quantities of Class A drugs.

He pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply Class A, cocaine and heroin; Conspiracy to supply Class B amphetamine and Possession with intent to supply Class A cocaine, following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court. After the criminal case was finalised, a financial investigation commenced. Detective Inspector Chris Hawitt from our Economic Crime Unit said: "This order is a great example of how our investigations into serious and organised crime do not end when the guilty arrive at jail.

"Convicted criminals should pay every price for using criminal money to fund their lifestyle, and for the damage they cause to our communities."

"Our Financial Investigators meticulously work in securing as much as possible in criminal assets and should Doyle not repay the amount, he will serve extra jail time." He added: "The proceeds recovered at Court will be of great benefit when invested back into Community initiatives to help prevent crime and protect the most vulnerable.

Doyle was arrested on Wednesday 6 April 2022 at his home in Bickerstaffe on suspicion of several drug offences and transferring criminal property after officers searched his house and found a block of cocaine of 74 per cent purity weighing 200 grams.

"We will keep publicising these initiatives so local organisations can get involved and give ill-gotten gains to good people.” If you have any information about money laundering or cash being stored in your community contact police @MerPolCC, or call 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Convicted drug supplier from Bickerstaffe ordered to repay more than £80,000