The “orchestrator” of a drug supply line which brought large amounts of cocaine and heroin into Southampton has been told he must repay some of the near £1million he made.

Max Craig Alexander, 35, was jailed for his role in facilitating and overseeing the running of class A drugs from Liverpool to Southampton between 2020 and 2021.

Alexander, of no fixed abode, was stopped by police after a warrant at an address in Old Redbridge Road in January 2021, where six firearms, and around £250,000 worth of cocaine and heroin were discovered.

The investigation, run by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, coincided with Operation Venetic, an international operation targeting criminals using a mobile encryption service, commonly referred to as EncroChat, to evade detection.

In 2024, Alexander was jailed for 15 years, having pleaded guilty to charges including attempting to acquire a prohibited firearm, attempting to acquire ammunition without a firearm certificate, attempting to possess ammunition when prohibited, and to six counts of being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine.

He further pleaded guilty to additional counts of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

Last week, Alexander appeared at Southampton Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing. These hearings determine how much someone benefitted from their criminal activity, and allow authorities to confiscate assets and order repayment of ill-gotten gains.

A detailed investigation by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Financial Investigation Unit found that Alexander had benefitted substantially from his criminality, with a total benefit figure of £940,264.85 linked to him over the course of his offending – £3,045.00 of which has already been paid under a previous confiscation order.

At the latest hearing, the court assessed that, from the outstanding £937,219.85, a further £27,980.00 is currently available to be confiscated. This amount reflects assets including cash, a Rolex watch, and a Mercedes vehicle.

Alexander has three months to pay this £27,980.00. If he fails to do so, he will face a further 12 months’ imprisonment, added to his existing sentence.

Following this payment, the remaining benefit figure will remain enforceable against Alexander indefinitely, and any future assets or funds identified can be used to repay the balance.

Chief Inspector Chris Douglas, Deputy District Commander for Southampton said: “Max Alexander made significant financial gain from the supply of harmful and destructive drugs in our city, but this result shows clearly that crime doesn’t pay. Our work does not stop at arresting and charging offenders — we will also pursue the profits they make from exploiting others.

“This confiscation order is another example of our ongoing commitment to tackling drug supply in Southampton. We will continue to target those who think they can profit from bringing misery into our communities, and we will keep working with our partners and the public to make our city safer.”