CRIMINALS are being warned that they could lose their liberty and their lavish lifestyle thanks to the dedicated efforts of a North Yorkshire Police team.

Investigators from the force's economic crime unit seized cash and property worth more than £152,000 in the first six months of this financial year alone and continuing their crackdown on those who profit illegally into the new year.

Gary Barnard, one of five civilian investigators who work closely with the Inland Revenue, Department of Work and Pensions, and banks, told the Evening Press that people should be aware of the penalties they face.

"What people have got to get into their minds is that it is not just going to prison. If you have any kind of lifestyle, we have powers to take it off you," he said.

The warning follows a court order that convicted heroin dealer Marguerita Jane Lee, 41, must hand over £19,266.37 within the next two months or face an extra year in jail, on top of the three-and-half years she is already serving.

Judge David Bryant made the order after York Crown Court heard that Lee had netted more than £20,000 from the illegal drug ring she ran with daughter, Andrea, 18, and her daughter's partner, Lee John Archer, 26, from a house in Burton Green.

At a different hearing, Archer was ordered to hand over £5,000 after the prosecution said he gained £7,140 from his criminal activities. He is currently serving a sentence of six-and-a-half years.

The trio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin earlier this year and investigators from North Yorkshire Police's economic crime unit began examining their financial dealings using powers introduced by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The act places the burden of proof on the criminal to show that their cash has not come from their illegal activities but another, legitimate source.

Mr Barnard said that Lee did not offer any evidence in court to show her assets had come from a valid source, despite claiming otherwise.

"All the funds are available and now it is up to her to volunteer them, or serve another year in prison," he said.

Updated: 10:03 Tuesday, December 21, 2004