Derry drug dealer left “homeless, carless and bankrupt”

A 34 year old Derry man already serving a jail term for drugs and money laundering offences was today stripped of all his assets by a court.
As a result, Mark McPhillips has been left with virtually nothing to his name and a Confiscation Order for more than £1 million hanging over him.
McPhillips was caught red-handed with £800,000 worth of cannabis in the Glengalliagh area of the city in May 2012 and sentenced to seven years last November.
He was driving a hire van carrying kitchen units when stopped by police. When they examined the units, they found bags of herbal cannabis which had been imported from Holland.
A court in Derry today granted a confiscation order outlining McPhillips’ benefit from criminal conduct as £1.04 million. He was ordered to hand over any realisable assets, amounting to just £1,870.54, towards the confiscation order within six months or face a further custodial sentence.
The judge also imposed a Serious Crime Prevention Order which restricts the movements and activities of McPhillips for five years after he is released from prison.
Detective Inspector Tom McClure said whilst in custody, McPhillips failed to maintain payments in relation to various properties resulting in further civil action which ultimately led to bankruptcy and repossession proceedings. McPhillips only had assets totalling £1,870 remaining in his name.
Due to his criminality, the Detective Inspector added, McPhillips is serving a custodial sentence and has been left homeless, car less, penniless and bankrupt.