A drug dealer from Darlington who spent his ill-gotten gains on luxury watches, exotic foreign trips and fine dining has been ordered to repay £250,000.

Aidan Sayers, 23, was importing Class A and B drugs to an address in Darlington, when police teams received intelligence about his illegal activities. 

He had been enjoying the high life - splashing the cash on Rolex watches, holidays to Thailand, oysters for dinner, and safari trips. 

But the police said "it all came crashing down" when officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) executed a warrant at an address in Darlington. 

Alongside teams at Durham Constabulary, they searched the address, on Chaldron Court,  and found huge amounts of drugs - including cocaine, MDMA, cannabis products and Psilocybin - more commonly known as ‘magic mushrooms.’

In addition to drugs, police found "a number of items indicating supply", which included padded envelopes, as well as empty packets bought in bulk, several sets of scales and a heat sealer.

Officers also seized about £38,000 in cash and high value items such as Rolex watches.

The 23-year-old was taken into custody and later charged with importation of Class B drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs and money laundering.

(Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

Sayers, of Darlington, admitted the offences and appeared at Teesside Crown Court in March, this year where he was sentenced to six years in prison.

Sayers was given an award by the Prince's Trust in March 2021 for transforming his life from an unemployed teenager excluded from school to someone who had a home, car and a job.

His story moved then-Prince Charles to tears at a second award ceremony at St James' Palace in London five months later.

Bot now, just a few short years later, the young man is serving a lengthy jail sentence and has been ordered to repay the proceeds of his ill-gotten gains.

A court order was made on Tuesday (October 15) which instructed Sayers to pay back £250,000 which will help support frontline policing.

Aidan Sayers in a club. Aidan Sayers in a club. (Image: Durham Constabulary)

PC Michael Hanratty, from the NEROCU Disruption Team said: “This investigation and subsequent sentence reaffirms our zero-tolerance approach to drugs across the county and our commitment to rooting out criminality within our communities.

“Drug supply often funds other areas of organised crime such as child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, modern slavery and illegal gun importation so tackling drug crime is vital.

Most read: 

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device by subscribing to The Northern Echo here. 

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device by subscribing to The Northern Echo here. 

Aidan Sayers on a safari. Aidan Sayers on a safari. (Image: Durham Constabulary)

“Drugs and those looking to profit from these illicit activities have no place in our communities and those involved should expect an early wake-up call from us in the near future.

“We urge anyone who has information of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and report it.”

If you have any information about suspected criminality, you can report it to your local police or you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by visiting their website or calling 0800 555 111.

Sayers splashed cash on luxury meals. Sayers splashed cash on luxury meals. (Image: Durham Constabulary)