The National Crime Agency has been granted a Possession Order against the home of Alderley Edge businessman Arran Coghlan.
On granting the Order against the 44-year-old on Wednesday, 20th July, the Right Honourable Mr. Hollington QC at the High Court told Mr Coghlan he must hand over the property within 90 days.
In March 2012, following a civil recovery trial, a High Court Judge ruled that Coghlan's home had been purchased through the proceeds of crime, namely drug trafficking and money laundering over a significant period.
It was submitted that when Coghlan purchased his home in 2000 through a third party he had no legitimate means of income. Evidence showed that the third party did not insist on payment of rent, all bills were in Coghlan's name and most property repairs, including extensive security and renovations, were paid for in cash.
Coghlan has unsuccessfully appealed the decision through the Courts over the past four years.
An NCA spokesman said: "The Court ruled in March 2012 that Arran Coghlan's home was funded by criminal activity so this court order is the culmination of a long process to secure that property.
"The NCA does not give up and go away. If you are found to have property which is derived from illicit profits, the NCA will keep going until the Court's order is satisfied and it will take that property from you."
In June 2011 Coghlan was released from jail after having drug charges against him dropped. He was arrested by officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in September 2010 and charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine. He remained in policy custody for nine months but was cleared when the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence against him at Liverpool Crown Court.
Arran Coghlan has also been cleared of murder charges on three occasions. In February 2010 he was charged with the murder of Stephen Akinyemi, after his body was found in the bathroom of Coghlan's converted chapel. A post mortem revealed that Mr Akinyemi had died of a gun shot wound.
In 1996 he was cleared of murdering Chris Little, who was shot dead at the wheel of his car in Marple two years earlier and in 1999 he was acquitted of killing drug dealer David Barnshaw, who was found in a burnt out car in Lower Bredbury.
Update: 9.20pm - Since publication of this article Arran Coghlan has been in touch to put forward his side which has now been published as a separate article.
