A drug dealer who flaunted his illegal business by posing for selfies with bundles of notes has been ordered to pay back his ill-gotten gains - or spend more time behind bars.

West Midlands Police officers used mobile phone pictures of Roheel Khan holding wads of cash to set about recovering his ‘dirty money’ through the courts. 

The 23-year-old was convicted of two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply after packages, scales and phones were recovered following a drugs raid at his home in Evelyn Road, Sparkhill, in June last year.

Despite Khan being jailed for two-and-a-half years in January, the force’s financial investigators set about identifying and recovering money or assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Photographs of him with a stash of notes was found on one of the seized mobile phones which was linked to the drugs operation.

They were presented at Birmingham Crown Court last Friday (29th October) as part of a range of evidence to get the confiscation order; and Khan must hand over £3,000 inside three months or serve a further two months in prison on top of his current sentence. Financial Investigator Christopher Whale, from the force’s Payback Team, said:

"Khan seemed happy to pose for selfies with his illegally-earned cash; showing no regard for how it came into his possession. We were able to present a range of evidence - including the images - to achieve an order to ensure Khan does not benefit from his criminal behaviour in future.

"Drugs can cause misery within our communities and this case reinforces the message that crime doesn’t pay; even after a conviction we will seek to claw back any ill-gotten gains."

Money obtained through POCA is used to fund community projects through the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Active Citizens Fund. PCC David Jamieson said:

“I’d encourage residents in Birmingham to apply to my office for POCA money through my Active Citizens Fund. That fund has been set up to help support good causes and local projects that benefit communities.

"It is always very satisfying to take money out of criminals’ hands and put it to good use in our communities."