A drug dealer from Worcester who was jailed for two-and-a-half years has been told to payback nearly £10,000 or face a further term in prison.

Kamil Ahmad Haque, aged 24, was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court last August after being caught with heroin worth up to £5,500.

He admitted possessing diamorphine and two charges of possessing criminal property, namely just over £1,300 cash.

He appeared before Hereford Crown Court again last week when the West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit successfully applied for a confiscation order for money made from his criminal activity.

The court heard that Haque, who lived in Drover’s Way, off Bilford Road, had benefited by £9,984 and was ordered to pay the full amount by October 25 or face a further six months in prison.

The offences came to light when police officers stopped and searched his car on March 27 last year, discovering 55.4g of heroin.

Patrick Kelly, from West Mercia’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “Drugs cause widespread harm and misery not only to users and their families, but also within the wider community through associated criminality.

"Tackling drugs is a priority issue for West Mercia Police and disrupting the supply by targeting dealers is central to our approach. Not only will we put offenders before the courts, we will also seek to confiscate any money they have gained through their criminal activity under the Proceeds of Crime Act”.

He added: "We are delighted the court granted our confiscation application and hope it serves as a warning to others involved in drug dealing that not only will they face significant prison sentences when caught but will also have to payback their ill-gotten gains or serve a further spell in prison.”