TWO class A drug dealers who lived lavish lifestyles beyond their legal means have been ordered to pay back almost £1 million from their ill-gotten gains.

Mohammed Dawood Aslam was jailed for 17 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs in September 2014 after he failed to appear at Bradford Crown Court in June of the same year.

Aslam, of Knightsbridge Walk, Holme Wood, must now pay back £522,950, which is made up from assets including a number of properties in Bradford, two high value watches and £147,000 in a bank account.

Mahboob Alam, of Bolton Lane, Bolton, Bradford, was jailed for seven years in April 2014 and has now been ordered to pay back £399,450.

His assets included a number of properties in Bradford, land in Wakefield and Bradford and two pub buildings in Liverpool and Manchester.

Aslam was arrested when police executed a warrant at Lister Court in Bradford in February 2013, drugs with a value of £5,528,610 were recovered including heroin and crack cocaine.

Alam was arrested after £300,000 worth of heroin was seized from a house in Bradford being used as a drugs warehouse.

Aslam and Alam were prosecuted in relation to separate conspiracy to supply class A drugs offences and were both targeted by West Yorkshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit during an operation targeting high level drug dealing in Bradford.

Financial Investigation Manager of West Yorkshire Police Economic Crime Unit, David Charity said: “This was a complex and time consuming financial investigation which revealed that two individuals had laundered their proceeds of crime through various guises, via limited companies, and invested in property and land.

“They also enjoyed their proceeds by living lavish lifestyles far in excess of their limited legitimate income.

“This investigation shows the extent that West Yorkshire Police are willing to go to, to ensure that those involved in the trafficking of controlled drugs do not escape justice and feel the full force of the law.

"This significant confiscation should send a strong message to criminals and the wider community that West Yorkshire Police remains determined that crime doesn’t pay.”

If you suspect someone is living beyond their means you can contact the police by 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.