Christopher Scrivens bought quad bikes, jet skis and expensive art off the back of his efforts to ‘flood the Valleys with drugs’
A drug dealer who put his ill-gotten gains into high-value art must pay authorities hundreds of thousands of pounds. Christopher Scrivens, whose collection included pieces by Banksy, was handed a three-year jail term in 2024 after police uncovered his scheme to “flood the Valleys” with cannabis purchased from California.
Now the 39-year-old has been ordered by a judge to pay back £233,737, which Newport Crown Court heard is the full amount that can be recovered from Scrivens – including from selling items found by police in a raid of his Ebbw Vale home.
That figure is less than half the £475,178 which Scrivens made from his supply of the class B substance. Judge Celia Hughes ordered him to pay the recoverable amount within three months or face a further three-year prison term. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.
In its raid Gwent Police seized works by the famous Bristolian artist including the Grappling Hook, Monkey Queen, and Watchtower Swing, which together had a potential value of more than £190,000. Also seized were designer goods, a caravan, quad bikes, and jet skis, while Scrivens was found in possession of some £11,800 in cash.
WalesOnline has asked Gwent Police for details of any upcoming auction of the items. We previously reported that police had trouble gaining entry to the property due to high walls and gates. As they busted their way in the defendant was seen with an iPhone.
Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said there was a “significant struggle” between Scrivens and a police officer who suffered an injury in the tussle. Mr Griffiths said: “It was obvious why he didn’t want police to get it. It contained a lengthy history of drug dealing.”
It is believed Scrivens purchased around £136,000 worth of cannabis, weighing 15.8kg, from California for onward supply. In one message, he told co-conspirators he intended to “flood the Valleys with cannabis”.
Scrivens, of Bryn-Y-Gwynt, was jailed in October 2024 after admitting importation of cannabis and conspiracy to supply the drug.
Five of his accomplices were sentenced in connection to the conspiracy, which you can read more about here.
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