A MAN jailed last year for money laundering is to have more than £40,000 of cash seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Eugene Jenkins, 28, of Waenheulog, Nantyglo, was handed an eight-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to the offence last August.

He has now served his sentence but appeared before Judge Richard Booth, QC, at Cardiff Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing.

Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said that the amount he had benefited from was £65,242 but he is to pay back £43,025, which is held by police.

A 28-day deadline has been fixed to recover that amount.

Judge Eleri Rees gave Jenkins an eight-month custodial sentence at Cardiff Crown Court on September 20 last year.

The court heard last September how Jenkins had also received a three-year prison sentence in 2007 for trafficking class A drugs.

The court was told that his car was sold under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

However, Jenkins purchased the vehicle back for just over £20,000, which sparked police to start making inquiries into his income, the court heard.

His income was described in court as money from benefits he was not entitled to, not paying tax on earnings and the sale of steroids.

Judge Rees heard how Jenkins began using cocaine in 2007 and started selling drugs to pay for it.

While in prison, he used his time wisely and was recognised for good behaviour, the court was told.

It was while serving his sentence that he started using the gym and then continued upon his release, the court heard.

It was then that he was introduced to steroids and he saw this as an opportunity, the court was told.

He pleaded guilty to the money laundering offence on August 9 last year.