Lee Scarfe (Image: South Wales Police)
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A drugs line operative from Aberdare has been told to hand over £4,860 – a small fraction of the £545,935.89 a court calculated he gained through his offending.
The confiscation hearing
Cardiff Crown Court examined Lee Scarfe’s finances under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with Judge Christopher Felstead hearing that the 38-year-old holds realisable assets of just £4,860 despite the far larger benefit figure. A confiscation order was made for that amount, payable within three months of his release. Failing to settle it will add a further month behind bars.
How Scarfe was caught
South Wales Police were investigating a cocaine line operating across Rhondda Cynon Taf when a number connected to Scarfe surfaced during searches. Officers traced him to the Barry area on January 8, 2025, where he was behind the wheel of a car. He was stopped and arrested, and a search of the vehicle turned up a bag holding £4,000 in cash.
Phone evidence
Scarfe’s mobile was seized at the same time. Messages recovered from the handset tied him to the distribution of cocaine.
Sentencing
Scarfe, of Park View Terrace, Aberdare, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was jailed for four years and three months in February.
Police response
Speaking after that sentencing hearing, PC Rhodri Wilson said: “These illegal drugs have devastating consequences on the people further down the chain who end up using them not to mention their family, friends, and wider communities.
“We will continue to investigate any information you have which could relate to the sale or use of these drugs.”
