'DEALER CLAIM IS BIZARRE'

Pro-cannabis campaigner Carl Wagner is being subjected to a police investigation into his finances - a power normally reserved for serious drug dealers.

Mr Wagner, who has never been convicted of a drug dealing offence and only keeps small quantities of the drug for personal use, says the police are conducting a "witch-hunt" against him.

Police have asked Hull Crown Court to hold a confiscation hearing in November, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

At the hearing, they will be able to apply to seize money they believe to have been earned from drug deals.

They now have five months to gather any evidence of dealing, and will be able to scrutinise Mr Wagner's finances.

The application comes after Mr Wagner appeared at the court on two counts of possession of cannabis, and one charge of cultivating the plant.

He was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay UKP 100 costs.

The campaigner, who runs a stall selling cannabis-related goods in Hull's Indoor Market, says he is being victimised by police, who last year raided his home.

Nine officers in riot gear burst into his house.  They found a tiny amount of cannabis, which was the subject of Wednesday's court appearance.

Mr Wagner said: "I contribute to the economy, my children are doing well at school and have never heard raised voices or seen violence in the home.  Yet the police won't leave me alone.  How is this in the public interest?

"I have not been found guilty of supplying, so why is this confiscation hearing being held?

"I do not supply, I had a minor amount of cannabis resin for personal use.  This is absolutely bizarre."

"Drug dealers don't live in rented houses, drive F-reg cars and owe UKP 4,000 in bills.

"If you sit on my sofa you fall through it, and we have only just bought a new TV after having the last one 13 years.  Does that sound like a rich drug dealer?"

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "Recovery of assets in relation to drugs offences is a course of action available to the police or the Crown Prosecution Service.

"The merits of such action in this case is being considered and will be judged upon by the crown court."