A NELSON man, sentenced to 16 months in prison for supplying drugs, has been ordered to pay back over £20,000.
Abid Ashraf (32), of Barkerhouse Road, appeared at Burnley Crown Court in November, 2010, where he was found guilty of seven counts of supplying and possessing drugs.
On Thursday at the same court, Pennine Division Financial Investigation Unit was successful in their application to have the proceeds from his crimes confiscated and he was ordered to pay £20,645.52 over six months or face a further 12 months in prison.
Ashraf was arrested after a lengthy police investigation led by Pennine Division’s Targeted Crime Team during which officers discovered cannabis and diazepam.
DC Tony Morris from Pennine Division’s Financial Investigation Unit said: “As this case shows, people will not profit from crime in Lancashire. The Proceeds of Crime Act is one of many tools we are using to come down hard on offenders. I hope this sends out a warning, if we find you with cash that you cannot account for, you will be targeted.”
The Proceeds of Crime Act has given police powers to strip criminals of assets acquired through crime thus preventing them from enjoying a life of luxury upon heir release from prison. The Act is aimed at disrupting criminal enterprise and reducing crime.
Anyone with information or concerns that a person may be living off the proceeds of crime, can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.