“You were somebody who was some way up the chain"
Convicted drug dealer Aqib Khan, aged 26, of Normanton, Wakefield, who bought expensive cars and luxury items with his illegal earnings has been ordered to pay £19,000 following a probe by Derbyshire police.
Khan was jailed in 2018 for five-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to two counts of using or possessing criminal property and one count of supplying heroin.
Nottingham Crown Court heard that Khan had made around £84,000 from his illegal activity.
He used the money to live a lavish lifestyle by purchasing cars, including a £35,000 Volkswagen Golf and a Mercedes. Khan also bought Versace belts and pillows.
After he was jailed, it was discovered that he had just over £19,000 to his name.
On March 28, 2019, Recorder Paul Mann QC ordered this amount to be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act. He said:
“The court is satisfied that the defendant Khan benefited from crime to a total of £84,018.46 and it is also satisfied that the available amount is a sum of £19,156.46.
“That can be confiscated and that is an order of the court.
“That must be paid within three months and if it’s not there will be a 12-month prison sentence.”
The Proceeds of Crime Act allows the police to apply for cash to be seized from criminals who have made their money illegally.
Criminals may be forced to sell their properties, cars or jewellery in order to pay the cash back.
The money is then split 50:50 between the police and the Government. It is often used to fund community projects.
At Khan’s sentencing hearing at Derby Crown Court, prosecutor James Thomas said Khan was driving an Audi when stopped by police.
Officers found thousands of pounds in a Gucci bag which Khan claimed he was given it to “sort things out” for a wedding at which he was the best man.
Mr Thomas said: “Khan was driving a blue Audi and he was the sole occupant.
“He was found in possession of a significant quantity of cash – £9,480 in a knotted plastic Gucci bag, a further £80 in the glove box, and a further £80 in his wallet.
“He was also found in possession of a mobile phone.
“In his phone, many of his contacts were sorted by name and location, which a drugs expert said was consistent with those who are involved with drug trafficking.”
Between January 2014 and December 2015, Mr Thomas explained that Khan had “no record of employment or legitimate income.”
He added that it did not stop Khan from buying a £35,000 VW Golf, putting down a £20,000 deposit for a Mercedes, and paying £2,000 for laser eye surgery.
In January 2018, while Khan was on bail for money-laundering, police searched an address in Whitaker Street, Derby. They found “heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and Mamba.”
Khan pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison. Recorder Adrian Reynolds said he was a drug dealer “of some standing.” He said:
“It is absolutely clear that you derived substantial income.
“You were somebody who was some way up the chain and you obtained substantial commercial benefit from other people’s misery.”
Following Recorder Reynolds’ final comments, Khan swore at him via video link before the television was turned off.
Loading ...