A CIRENCESTER drug dealer who wholesaled cocaine and cannabis has lost almost £5,000 which was seized by police when he was arrested.

Charles Goble was found with the money when his high-value drugs business was smashed by police two years ago.

The 65-year-old’s wife had initially claimed some of the cash was hers, a judge at Swindon crown court was told.

But she accepted the money was her husband’s and he has signed a disclaimer allowing the authorities to keep it along with any interest which had accrued.

As a result prosecutors dropped an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act which could have led to Goble being liable for tens of thousands of pounds.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said Goble signed a consent form to allow the £4,940 plus any interest to be forfeited under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Andrew Hobson, defending, said through his client was due in court for the hearing he had declined to attend because of his ill health.

Judge Euan Ambrose made the forfeiture order and discharged any action under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Goble, Park Way, Siddington, Cirencester, was jailed for seven years and eight months after he admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.

The court heard he ran an operation where the drugs were bought from as far afield as Birmingham and London and sold on to dealers in the Cirencester and Swindon areas.