Drug dealer arrested in Spain pleads guilty after £1.5m worth of property seized

A drug dealer extradited from Spain has pleaded guilty to cocaine and heroin smuggling after police seized assets worth around £1.5 million.

Richard Baxter, 50, also admitted money laundering and was a key player in a gang that distributed hundreds of kilos of class A drugs, to Metropolitan Police he said.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court on Friday and will be sentenced on December 5.

Police said the money from drug trafficking was laundered through several companies in an attempt to disguise its origin.

Baxter was arrested by Spanish police in Valencia and UK authorities said he had a house in Surrey and several other properties in south-east England, including a holiday cottage.

All have already been seized.

Detective Constable David Lawn, who led the investigation, said: “We have zero tolerance for anyone engaging in criminal activity and are committed to tackling the sale of dangerous and illegal drugs that pose a threat to the public.

“The Met is mobilizing specialist resources to tackle drug-related crime and make the capital a safer place to live.”

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DC Lawn added: “Baxter’s conviction sends a strong message to those who seek to profit from the illegal drug trade: you will be held accountable for your actions in court.”