The former drug baron Curtis Warren set up his own business weeks after his release from prison and before being arrested on suspicion of breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO).
Mr Warren, now 60, was released in November last year after serving 14 years in prison, firstly after being convicted of attempting to smuggle cannabis worth £1million into Jersey. Warren then served an extra 10 years in default after failing to repay £198million from the profits of his fallen drugs empire, as ordered by a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) confiscation order.
The Toxteth native, once dubbed 'Target One' by Interpol, was subjected to a strict raft of restrictions upon his release as part of the SCPO, including a ban from instant messaging apps WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, being in possession of more than £1,000 in cash, giving police a day's notice if he wants to use a friend's car and a ban on travel outside of England and Wales without giving seven days' notice to police.
READ MORE: Ex global drugs kingpin Curtis Warren to face major test on release
The National Crime Agency (NCA), who applied for the order, announced last Wednesday (July 5) that Mr Warren had been arrested at an address in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, on suspicion of breaking the terms of the SCPO.
According to documents publicly available on Companies House, Mr Warren is the sole director of a small business called CFW Services Ltd, incorporated in February. Mr Warren is also listed as the sole shareholder of the business, which states its correspondence address as the Waterloo Buildings in Bridge Street, Birkenhead.
The nature of the business is listed as 'Other: Business Support Services'.
The NCA said on Wednesday the alleged breaches "relate to the unauthorised use of mobile phones, vehicles, bank accounts and travel". The agency also released footage of officers battering the front door of a house, which the ECHO understands belongs to former HMP Frankland prison officer Stephanie Smithwhite, who was jailed for two years in 2020 after prison bosses discovered she was having an illicit affair with then inmate Mr Warren.
Mr Warren was bailed on Wednesday evening after his arrest. Anthony Barraclough, who has been retained by Mr Warren's solicitors to provide legal advice, told the Mirror on Wednesday: “Any breaches will be minor transgressions. These will be very fine interpretations of restrictions I anticipate.
"I imagine he was in Tyneside to visit friends. He is allowed to travel and have mobile phones, bank accounts and up to £1,000 in cash. He can travel abroad if he gives seven days notice.
“If he is going to be away from home he needs permission and he has had permission. I have not spoken to him yet as he is in custody."
Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here.
