A drug dealer who invested in art works by Banksy has been jailed for three years.
Gang leader Christopher Scrivens, 37, ploughed his profits into expensive art works by the elusive street artist, a court heard.
Police seized Banksy’s Monkey Queen, The Watchtower Swing and a sculpture called Grappling Hook when they raided his home in South Wales.
Scrivens later handed over another piece called The Cross, the last part of his Banksy collection worth £190,000.
He was one of eight people who admitted offences including conspiracy to supply drugs and money laundering.
Gang leader Christopher Scrivens, 37, who has been jailed for three years for the importation and conspiracy to sell cannabis, had a Banksy collection worth £190,000
Police seized Banksy’s Monkey Queen (left), The Watchtower Swing (right) and a sculpture called Grappling Hook when they raided his home in South Wales
Newport Crown Court heard Scrivens told people he wanted to ‘flood the Valleys,’ with Californian cannabis.
Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said: ‘Money was laundered for Scrivens to acquire the Banksy’s sculpture The Grappling Hook.
‘The defendant’s ill-gotten gains were used to pay for the object.’
Mr Griffiths told how Scrivens used family, friends and neighbours in his drug import enterprise.
Some would receive parcels of cannabis that were being sent to their addresses in Wales from the US through the post.
Scrivens, of Ebbw Vale, Gwent, admitted importing cannabis to the value of £104,880 and conspiracy to supply the class B drug.
Judge Vanessa Francis told him: ‘You invested in expensive art in an effort to distance yourself from your crimes.’
Screens and his gang also bought designer items, a caravan, quad bikes, and jet skis with an estimated value of £48,400.
Scrivens later handed over another piece called The Cross, the last part of his collection
A Proceeds of Crime Hearing will be held later.
Gwent Police said its organised crime team spent three years investigating Scrivens and his gang who were funding their ‘lavish lifestyles’ through drug dealing.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Preston said after the hearing: ‘This is a particularly complex case, where the defendants have attempted to hide the proceeds of their crimes in extravagant items of clothing, vehicles, and artwork.
‘Taking away the assets that criminals have purchased through crime, sends the message that crime does not pay.’
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