Drug dealer with multi-million property empire built from illegal cash convicted after Spanish police raid

A drug dealer who was building up a property empire with his ill-gotten gains has been convicted after he was captured in a raid by Spanish police.

Richard Baxter, 50, pleaded guilty to supplying heroin and cocaine as well as money laundering at a hearing at Kingston Crown Court on Friday.

Baxter was detained in Valencia by Spanish police in August and extradited back to the UK and charged.

A Met investigation found he was a key figure in a drug smuggling ring dealing hundreds of kilos of class A drugs. The group was then laundering money through different companies.

Baxter was using some of the money to build up a property empire and had four properties in South East including a house in Surrey and a holiday chalet worth a combined total of at least £1.5m.

Detective Constable David Lawn, who led the investigation, said: “We have zero-tolerance for anyone who engages in criminal activities and are committed to combat the sale of dangerous and illegal drugs which pose a threat to the public.

“The Met are deploying specialist resources to tackle drug criminality and make the capital a safer place to live.

“Baxter’s conviction sends out a strong message to those who seek to profit from illegal drug trade – you will be held accountable for your actions in front of the court.”

Baxter has been remanded for sentencing at Kingston Crown Court on 5 December.

Anyone who wants to report a drugs crime is asked to call 101. 101 or report online. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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