Drug duo are forced to hand over £25,000

Published 21 Jul 2011 08:00

TWO drug dealers were ordered to cough up nearly £25,000 by Falkirk Sheriff Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Wahid Khan (39) from Airdrie and Vincent Brazil (58) from Manchester were told to hand over £24,727.81 following their conviction in January.

The men were linked to ten kilos of cannabis and cash totalling £22,570 which were recovered from a hotel room at Bowtrees, near Airth, last September.

A box containing the drugs and a bag containing the cash were found - hidden beneath bedside drawers - by cleaners at the hotel.

Following a tip-off a surveillance operation led to the arrest of Khan and subsequent inquiries linked packaging around the money to a shop in Alloa, where Khan worked.

Brazil was arrested in Fife the following day and further quantities of cash were found in their possession.

Following the conviction of both men on 6 January 2011 at the High Court in Glasgow the Civil Recovery Unit, acting on behalf of the Scottish ministers, sought the payment.

Ruaraidh Macniven, head of the Civil Recovery Unit, said, "Excellent work by Central Scotland Police means that this substantial sum of cash will be now put to good use in our communities rather than used to fund illegal activities.

"The Civil Recovery Unit will continue to work with the police to use civil proceedings to disrupt crime and to make Scotland a hostile environment for criminals."

Money recovered under this legislation is invested in projects aimed at alleviating the effects of crime.

Neither of the defenders opposed the decision in Falkirk Sherrif Court, although they are allowed 30 days in which to appeal.

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This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 20 Jul 11

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