The “lynchpin” of a drugs gang ferrying cocaine wholesale across the Pennines into Bradford has been ordered to stump up more than £130,000 of his ill-gotten gains.

Mark Davey returned to Bradford Crown Court today from prison, where he is serving a 12-year sentence for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Davey, 44, of Maple Avenue, Thornbury, Bradford, was described by a judge in January last year as the “hands-on lynchpin” of the West Yorkshire end of the plot.

He got involved with the drugs syndicate within six months of his release from a 16-year sentence for similar drugs offences.

Judge Peter Armstrong imprisoned Davey for eight years, plus a four-year stretch outstanding from his earlier sentence imposed at Liverpool Crown Court in February, 2001.

Now Judge Peter Benson has made a confiscation order against Davey in the sum of £134,081.

He must pay up within six months or stay in jail for an extra two years and three months.

The judge found that Davey’s benefit from criminal conduct totalled £320,000 but his realisable assets were the lesser sum.

Officers began keeping surveillance on Davey and others in July 2008, culminating in two police swoops.

Police seized £50,000 in cash from Davey’s Bradford home.

  • Read the full story in Tuesday's T&A