Courts target assets of cocaine dealer with 'Champagne lifestyle'

A DRUG dealer who enjoyed a "Champagne lifestyle" is facing moves to seize his assets after being jailed for over seven years.

Investigators believe Mark Halliday still has substantial assets as a result of leading one of the Capital's biggest cocaine dealing gangs.

The 29-year-old, who lived in Grandfield, Trinity, and drove a Mercedes, treated his girlfriend to extravagant gifts such as a car and holiday in the Maldives.

He was caught following a two-and-a-half year police operation against cocaine dealers in the Lothians.

He has now been targeted by the Civil Recovery Unit (CRU) who will try to confiscate his assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Earlier this month, Glasgow High Court heard that Halliday spent lavishly while heading up the drug supply network, shopping in Harvey Nichols.

Police chiefs today welcomed the move against Halliday, who was one of six men arrested during a series of raids across Edinburgh and Midlothian last year, netting £300,000 worth of cocaine.

The new court action got under way on Monday at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The Crown Office said no cash value had yet been put on the assets which will be pursued, but it is thought to be substantial.

The courts have the power to seize property, cars, money or other assets which he cannot reasonably explain being able to afford.

Halliday claimed to work for his father's heating insulation firm, but only drew £3000 from the firm in one year.

A police spokesman said: "The Proceeds of Crime Act allows us to target offenders where it hurts most – in their pockets. In particular, it is a good way of snaring drug dealers, which is a top priority for the force."

Halliday was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison after a four-week trial involving more than 30 witnesses.

A jury found him guilty of trafficking cocaine between April and December 2006.

Halliday was described in court as a "middle manager" in the drugs trade who "didn't need to get his hands dirty".

In February, figures showed that nearly £2 million has been seized from criminals in the Lothians in the last five years.

The cash has been used to fund projects such as youth sports to discourage antisocial behaviour, mobile CCTV police vans and child outreach schemes, and anti-drug dealing campaigns.