A WOMAN convicted for her role in dealing drugs has been ordered to pay back more than £100,000.

Barbara Varns, 61, formerly of Cheviot Road in Salvington, admitted possessing cannabis and amphetamines with intent to supply and two counts of possessing criminal property at her home.

She was jailed in October last year, with confiscated cash, drugs and items forfeited in a hearing following an inquiry by specialist financial investigators from the Economic Crime Unit.

The court was told how Varns was driving in a van when she was stopped by officers from the Tactical Enforcement Unit on June 10, 2020.

Officers found £19,000 in cash in her possession, which she had stashed in her handbag, and a small amount of amphetamine.

In a search of her home, officers found a further £33,000 in cash, cannabis and amphetamines worth more than £68,000, and more than 3,000 items of cosmetic products and clothing with tags still on.

The Argus: Cosmetic products and clothes with tags still on were also found in a search of Varns' homeCosmetic products and clothes with tags still on were also found in a search of Varns' home

None of the items could be identified as having been purchased legitimately.

Varns was sentenced on October 28 last year at Lewes Crown Court for the offences, with her case under the Proceeds of Crime Act heard at the same court on May 23.

The court heard she had benefitted to the sum of more than £166,000 from the criminal property.

Lewes Crown Court concluded she had £103,189.51 of recoverable assets, which was forfeited under a confiscation order.

Detective Inspector Mark O Brien from the Economic Crime Unit said: “This was a complex investigation involving frontline officers, Worthing CID and financial investigators.

“It shows our determination to pursue every avenue available to us to not only catch criminals involved in drugs and theft offences, but to also deny them the benefits of their illegality.

“Varns pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession with intent to supply amphetamine and two counts of possessing criminal property. She was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment.

“At Lewes Crown Court on the 23rd May 2022 a Proceeds of crime act hearing took place and she was found to have benefited to the sum of £166,400.67 with assets available to pay £103,189.51. This is to be paid within 6 months.

“The available amount is made up of cash seized, her vehicle, balances of bank accounts held, and the seized items.”