Drug supply ‘orchestrator’ ordered to repay profits after £1m cocaine and heroin operation

A man described as the “orchestrator” of a major drug supply line bringing cocaine and heroin into Southampton has been ordered to repay some of the money he made from his crimes.

Max Craig Alexander, 35, was jailed for 15 years in 2024 for facilitating and overseeing the supply of Class A drugs from Liverpool to Southampton between 2020 and 2021.

Alexander, of no fixed abode, was arrested in January 2021 after police executed a warrant at an address in Old Redbridge Road, Southampton. During the search, officers recovered six firearms and cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of around £250,000.

The investigation was led by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and coincided with Operation Venetic, a major international law enforcement operation targeting organised criminals who used the encrypted EncroChat messaging service to avoid detection.

Alexander pleaded guilty to a series of offences, including attempting to acquire a prohibited firearm, attempting to acquire ammunition without a firearm certificate, attempting to possess ammunition when prohibited, and six counts of being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine. He also admitted further charges of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

Last week, Alexander appeared at Southampton Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing, which assessed the financial benefit he gained from his criminal activity and how much could be confiscated.

A detailed investigation by the force’s Financial Investigation Unit found that Alexander had benefited by £940,264.85 from his offending, £3,045 of which had already been paid under a previous confiscation order.

The court ruled that of the remaining £937,219.85, a further £27,980 is currently available to be seized. This figure reflects assets including cash, a Rolex watch and a Mercedes vehicle.

Alexander has been given three months to pay the £27,980. If he fails to do so, he will face an additional 12 months in prison, to be added to his existing sentence.

The remainder of the benefit figure will remain enforceable indefinitely, meaning any future assets or funds identified can be seized to repay the outstanding balance.

Chief Inspector Chris Douglas, Deputy District Commander for Southampton, said:

“Max Alexander made significant financial gain from the supply of harmful and destructive drugs in our city, but this result shows clearly that crime doesn’t pay. Our work does not stop at arresting and charging offenders — we will also pursue the profits they make from exploiting others.

“This confiscation order is another example of our ongoing commitment to tackling drug supply in Southampton. We will continue to target those who think they can profit from bringing misery into our communities, and we will keep working with our partners and the public to make our city safer.”