A man serving a seven-year jail sentence for drug dealing has been ordered to hand over more than £160,000 of his ill-gotten gains or face a further three years’ imprisonment.

Peter Roddy, aged 65, formerly of Stanley Drive, Whitefield, was convicted at Bolton Crown Court of possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply in January 2008.

Since Roddy has been in prison, officers have been investigating his assets and lifestyle, in the UK and Ireland. This included research into £55,000 speedboats, vintage cars and motor-homes as well as property both in the UK and Ireland.

Today, Tuesday 29 September 2009, a Bolton Crown Court judge ruled that Roddy would have to hand over £169,136 of the money he made from dealing drugs. Roddy was also imprisoned for a further consecutive 20 months for Contempt of Court - by attempting to dispose of legally restrained assets.

In June 2008 a £250,000 farmhouse in Ireland owned by Roddy was forfeited by the Dublin High Court following a joint GMP-Garda asset investigation.

Roddy was arrested after police in Bury received a tip off that drugs were being sold from his house in 2006. The house was raided twice and class A drugs with a street value of around £10,000 were found.

Roddy was bailed, sold his house and he fled to Ireland and changed his name to David McGinty. He later returned to Greater Manchester and was arrested living under this false identity in Sale.

Police Constable Richard Garland, based at Whitefield police station, said: "Today's result shows our investigations don't stop once a defendant has been sentenced.

"We are determined to pursue criminals who benefit financially from crime and ensure that not only are they convicted, but we will do everything in our power to make sure they cannot benefit from their illegal gains either now or in the future.

"I hope this sends a stern warning to others that crime does not pay.

"The money will be reinvested in the fight against drug-related crime."

Anyone with any concerns about people making money illegally in any way should contact their local neighbourhood policing team. Details of the team can be found at www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 0161 872 5050.