A FAMILY who financed an international property empire by dealing drugs on a Hanworth estate are facing jail when they are sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday.
Police believe Alan Bishton Snr, his son Alan Jnr and brother Malcolm were responsible for supplying all cocaine users on the Oriel Estate until they were arrested in May.
When officers raided their home in Cottington Road they found cocaine worth £18,000, £4,000 in cash and £6,000 worth of laptops, jewellery and other stolen goods.
The trio admitted intent to supply drugs and nine counts of handling stolen goods at Isleworth Crown Court two weeks ago but police believe that was just the tip of the iceberg and are looking deeper into their finances.
DI Brian Lucas, who led the investigation, said: “We are conducting a financial investigation and are looking at properties internationally and anticipate making quite a large seizure in the future.
“It's an unusual case but it shows the links between serious crime, drug dealing and handling stolen goods. Burglars often commit crime where they know they can get their drugs.”
The family – who have just one criminal damage conviction between them – have never made any tax returns and are believed to have financed a lavish lifestyle for years with their ill-gotten gains.
They were only caught after a police arrested an associate of theirs, Edward Clack, who was responsible for 35 burglaries within a 1.5 mile radius in Feltham and Hanworth. Officers believed they were exchanging stolen goods for drugs with him and obtained a warrant to raid their property.
Among the haul found were seven laptops, some Asian jewellery and an RAF long service medal – all of which have been returned to their owners.
The men have also been evicted from their house by Hounslow Homes so will not be returning to the Oriel Estate when they are released from custody.
