LEEDS, England, April 5 (UPI) -- A police detective in northern England was sentenced to 23 years in prison Thursday for stealing drugs being held for evidence and re-selling them.
Detective Constable Nicholas McFadden, 38, of the West Yorkshire Police worked with his brother, Simon, 41, the Yorkshire Post reported. Simon McFadden of Leeds was sentenced to 16 years.
"The two of you were putting back on the streets drugs which successful police operations had taken off the streets," Judge Tom Bayliss told the brothers. "And in doing so you became very rich."
Investigators said McFadden stole marijuana, heroin and cocaine with a street value estimated at more than 1 million pounds ($1.5 million) from evidence lockers. The brothers were believed to have made around $1 million from sales and had substantial amounts of cash when they were arrested.
McFadden became a suspect because he made frequent cash deposits through ATMs.
The brothers also spent a lot of money on fancy cars, vacations and other luxury items. Simon indulged a taste for gourmet sausages and champagne.
Karen McFadden, Simon's wife, was given a one-year suspended sentence. Witnesses said she was unaware of the source of the money she was spending -- including more than $15,000 at the Harvey Nichols department store.
