A dishonest solicitor convicted of helping a drugs dealer launder the money earned from his criminal activities through a house purchase has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Council (SDC) following a hearing.

Woking-based solicitor Paul Green (main image, inset) worked at two legal firms during the period specialising in dispute resolution but during 2010 become involved in helping his twin brother James Green buy a property with the proceeds of his illegal drug distribution activities.

James Green was convicted last year and given six years in prison for drugs supply and fraud offences, dating back to 2010.

At the same trial Paul Green was sentenced to 26 months’ imprisonment for “Converting criminal property (money)”  which is the “process by which the proceeds of crime are converted into assets which appear to have a legitimate origin, so that they can be retained permanently or recycled into further criminal enterprises”.

While both men are now in prison, the Solicitors Disciplinary Council has struck Paul Green off the Roll of Solicitors preventing him from working in the legal sector again.

Struck off

He had worked as a solicitor since 2008 but has now been struck off after an SDC hearing panel decided that this action was proportionate given the seriousness of the money laundering he was convicted of.

The saga unfolded when HMRC officers raided a warehouse in Southampton used by James Green and found £341,547 in cash, silver ingots and watches in cash and sovereign coins, along with other assets, some of which tested positive for cannabis residue.

The police were then involved and an address in Berrywood Gardens (pictured) in Hedge End, near Southampton was raided and large quantities of cannabis found.

Also, mortgage and conveyance records for the address showed that the lender, Santander, had been misled as to the true identity of deposit fees and who would reside in the property.

Evidence showed at least £166,000 in criminal money had been used to fund the mortgage which was paid off 10 years early.

His brother’s role in facilitating this money laundering activity was then uncovered.

Read more about struck off solicitors.