A crime boss who ran a South American drug enterprise has been ordered to pay £125k by a Scottish court following a jail sentence.
He created a fake company too. It smuggled drugs from Spain. They hid drugs inside solar panels. A court sentenced Fleming to nine years. He admitted leading serious organized crime, which happened in Stirling back in August 2023.
The Edinburgh High Court acted February 24. They made an order about crime money. The order totaled £125,970.96. He made much more, over £1.8 million, but they could take more if they find more money.
They took cash from Fleming’s house and seized valuable watches. Other expensive items were taken too. This helps stop crime in Scotland and target those who profit illegally.
They will keep working after prison. The Crown can seize future money. Fleming must pay back what he made. The Crown applies to the court for orders, aiming to confiscate illegal funds.
If he gets more money later, they can act and increase what he owes. They will do this when needed. This ensures full recovery of crime money. The recovered money goes back into communities. It helps through the Cashback program.
Fleming’s crimes came to light. His partners in crime got arrested. They were involved in drugs and money. Police operations revealed all; they called them Operation Fertile and Buggy.
Fleming left Scotland for Spain in 2018. Police found £37,000 cash in his car. Luxury watches worth £50,000 were at his home. This led to his family’s arrest initially.
Several agencies worked together. Prosecutors, police, and Spanish authorities helped. Fleming was arrested in Alicante in June 2022, and they brought him back to Scotland in March 2023.