The Department of Public Prosecutions is seeking to get between $25,000 and $100,000 from an admitted drug dealer.

Melvin Bernard Stevens, 56, of Pembroke, appeared in Supreme Court yesterday to be sentenced for possessing heroin with intent to supply on September 10, 2003.

Stevens was also due to be sentenced for possessing an electronic scale as drug equipment.

Crown counsel Paula Tyndale said at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2003, an unmarked Police car on St. John's Road, Pembroke saw Stevens turning left on his motorcycle onto St. John's Road, so they turned around and followed him.

"When the defendant looked in the direction of their vehicle he sped off," Ms Tyndale said.

Police gave chase on Controversy Lane, where they stopped him.

"In his trouser pockets the Officers found 81 plastic twists of an off white powder substance," she said. "He was arrested and cautioned".

At 6.40 p.m. that day Police conducted a search of Stevens' boat, Big Daddy's Delight, and found an electronic scale and plastic bags.

On Thursday September 13 Police searched Stevens' locker at work they discovered $4,000 cash in various denominations as well as some jewellery.

Ms Tyndale said the total amount of items seized from the locker was $5,550.

The 81 plastic twists and electronic scale was sent to the Government Analyst who discovered the bags to hold 9.76 grams of heroin at 56 percent purity. The estimated street value of the drugs was $36,420.

"The scale tested positive for heroin and cocaine," she said.

Stevens was due to be sentenced today, however the DPP made an application to Justice Carlisle Greaves to seize Stevens' assets.

In November, 2004, a writ was filed in Supreme Court regarding Melvin Bernard Stevens in the matter of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997.

"The essence of the Crown's statement is that this defendant benefited (by) over $100,000 in the last six years for drug trafficking," Ms Tyndale said.

She also said Stevens gave $25,000 to his niece to hold for him.

His lawyer Elizabeth Christopher said his niece gave her client back the money in $1,000 increments after his arrest in September, 2003 and even ended up giving him a couple of extra thousand dollars.

"He is a heroin addict, he rolled it up and smoked it," she said. She said his boat had been sold.

Mr. Justice Greaves asked how Stevens "had managed to get seven vehicles in Bermuda".

But Ms Christopher said many of them were old.

Stevens was remanded in custody and the judge adjourned the sentencing, in order to do both the sentencing and proceeds of crime tribunal together next Friday.