May.12, 2010

A drug dealer's girlfriend who went on a £30,000 spending spree with his ill-gotten gains has been convicted of money laundering.

Cherelle Braithwaite of Beames Road, Stonebridge, splashed out on fancy holidays and splurged thousands of pounds on designer goods with the cash her partner Simon Burte with money made from peddling crack and heroin.

Harrow Crown Court heard the 23-year-old regularly flew to Jamaica and America and had a wardrobe crammed with handbags and shoes from designer houses such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

She also frequented top department store Harrods to indulge in her love of expensive goods.

Last December, 32-year-old Burte, his brother Neverton, 31, both of Winchelsea Road, Stonebridge, half-brothers Richard Rhoden, 23 and Levi Burte, 23, mother Maria Rhoden, 49, and father Melverton Burte, 48, were jailed for a total of 37 years for running their family drugs empire.

The ringleaders, Simon, who was known for the 'bling' in his teeth, and Neverton, were jailed for 10 and seven years respectively.

Richard was sentenced to five years four months, Levi six years, Maria four years and Melverton five years.

They were all either found guilty or admitted a variety of drug offences at their Harrow Crown Court trial.

The family were snared as part of Operation Kourjima that culminated with police raids at a number of addresses they were associated with.

Detectives found a large amount of money at Braithwaite's home during raids and she was subsequently charged with money laundering.

Last week, she was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years and 240 hours community service for concealing criminal property.

Investigating officers have managed to recover £90,000 from the family so far but are still working on tracing further cash and hidden assets.

Detective Sergeant Peter McIntosh from the Payback Unit said: "Cherelle Braithwaite spent her drug dealing boyfriend's money on herself; police are now working with the courts to recover this cash from her.