A MAN on benefits who was exposed as a drug dealer has lost all of his assets, including a £23,000 collection of rare gold coins.
Mark Roper, 47, was caught by police with £565 of cannabis in his car. He was later discovered to have 23 gold South African Krugerrands in his home near Beverley Minster, as well as £1,300 of cannabis and a Rolex watch.
Police also discovered a cannabis grinder, scales, a dealer list and The Cannabis Grow Bible.
He also had a "weed menu" and a cannabis-based alcoholic drinks menu.
Roper has now had £31,000 of assets seized by a judge at Hull Crown Court, following an investigation by Humberside Police's asset recovery investigation unit.
Senior financial investigator Lorraine Baines said the Krugerrands will be sold at a specialist auction.
She said: "This is the first case we have had with gold South African Krugerrands and it has been an interesting case for the team.
"Mr Roper had purchased the coins over a period of time using the proceeds of his criminality.
"There are 23 coins from different years with only one coin for one year missing. We will be taking specialist advice about how to market the unique collection to the widest audience."
Officers began investigating Roper's finances after he was given a suspended prison sentence for possessing cannabis with intent to supply earlier this year.
Officers found he had £12,803 of deposits going into his bank account during 2012, before his arrest in December.
He also had £6,419 in two savings accounts and owned a Ford Mondeo.
Roper has signed over the balance of all his bank accounts and now has three months to sell his car and hand over the cash.
Mrs Baines said: "Criminals are always seeking new ways to hide their assets from the police such as investing in coin collections but this case shows we will pursue all proceeds of crime."
Roper also admitted possessing 17 indecent images of women having sex with animals, which were found during the police raid on his home in East Close.
Police stopped Roper in the Ford Mondeo car in Pighill Lane.
When asked about drugs, initially he told them: "It is in the door," pointing to four packets of herbal cannabis with 4g inside.
Asked if he had more, he replied: "There is a case in the boot."
Officers searched the rear and found 41 packages containing 56g of cannabis worth £655.
Hull Crown Court heard Roper lived with his mother, who was shocked by his arrest.
She died in February, while court proceedings were hanging over her son. He was her full-time carer.
Defence barrister Charlotte Baines said: "He accepts he was dealing to street users.
"In relation to the pornography, while he accepts it was serious, there is no suggestion of distribution or sharing. He was under physical and mental pressure at the time and made poor choices."
He was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence and complete 60-hours unpaid work in the community.
At the hearing, Judge Mark Bury told Roper. "You were making a profit to support your own habit."
