The ringleader of a major drugs supply network has been ordered to pay back more than a quarter of a million pounds after work by specialist financial investigators at West Yorkshire Police.

Mohammed Tasadiq Khan was jailed for 16 years in August 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, as well as possession of criminal property in relation to a £100million drugs plot.

He was arrested in 2023 after serious and organised crime officers recovered 10kg of cocaine in Dewsbury in a targeted operation in October that year.

The investigation located a safety deposit box belonging to Khan and recovered criminal property, including 100g gold bullion bars, jewellery and cash.

Mohammed Tasadiq Khan and some of the 100g gold bullion bars discovered during the police investigation.

placeholder image — Mohammed Tasadiq Khan and some of the 100g gold bullion bars discovered during the police investigation.

A laptop recovered from Khan contained spreadsheets detailing the gang’s finances, showing annual turnover and earnings projected to be £1.3m.

They also found details of three properties he owned – one in Dubai and two in Pakistan – which were valued at £1.3m, as well as a receipt for the purchase of a dog valued at more than £18,000.

Enquiries established Khan, 38, formerly of Fir Avenue, Ravensthorpe, was responsible for the import and wholesale distribution of at least 1,000 kilos of cocaine and heroin over a 32-month period from February 1, 2021 to October 18, 2023, with a total estimated street value of up to £100million.

Analysis of the gang’s telephone records showed drug deals being arranged at locations across England.

Following his conviction for the drugs offences, specialist financial investigators from West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit launched confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

At a confiscation hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Monday, October 19, it was accepted that his benefit from crime had been £2,750,000.

His available assets were confirmed to be £260,108.04, which he was ordered to pay within three months or receive a further three years in prison. The confiscation amount remains payable even if the default sentence is served.

As part of the same financial investigation, Razwan Arif, who was found to be the gang’s “accountant”, was ordered to pay £51,967.64 at a confiscation hearing in September.

Arif, 26, formerly of Lee Road, Ravensthorpe, had been jailed for nine years and six months in June last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. His benefit from crime was established as £1,070,481.62.

Tom Matthews, financial investigation manager at West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “A detailed and comprehensive investigation by our specialist financial investigators was able to give a clear overview of the significant amount that Khan had benefitted from this criminal enterprise.

“We were able to establish the assets that he had available and secure a confiscation order against him for that amount. If the amount is not paid within the three-month deadline, he faces an additional three years in prison, and the confiscation figure remains payable.

“This latest successful use of the proceeds of crime legislation should illustrate our continued commitment to making sure that criminals not only lose their liberty but are also stripped of their ill-gotten gains.”

Assets confiscated and forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act are distributed to operational agencies including West Yorkshire Police to reinvest in tackling crime and keeping communities safe.