FOUR people sentenced for their part in bringing large quantities of controlled drugs into Worcester as part of an organised crime group (OCG) have been ordered to repay more than £100,000.

Operation Sodium was a lengthy criminal investigation by police, which saw numerous members of an OCG convicted of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs - namely Class A cocaine.

In November 2017, Judge Juckes QC determined that over a two year period between 2013 and 2015 the OCG would have been involved in trafficking at least 12kilos of cocaine with a street value of £400,000.

Confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 began for some of the defendants and on Tuesday August 14 a number of orders were made at Worcester Crown Court.

Ashley James, who was convicted of heading the group, was ordered to repay available assets of £91,255, which include a residential property. His benefit from this criminal lifestyle was deemed to be £215,000.

James Jones - Ashley James' second in command - was ordered to repay a nominal order of £10, with his benefit from criminal conduct set at £153,755.

Todd Porter - a trusted associate of Ashley James - was ordered to pay £1,425 and his benefit from criminal conduct was set at £52,719.70.

Deborah Crowther, who stored drugs for the OCG, was ordered to repay £13,615.

All outstanding benefit from criminal conduct is a lifetime debt owed until such time as it is fully repaid.

Throughout the investigation more than £126,300 cash was seized and forfeiture orders made at court in relation to this. In addition, £55,157 worth of cocaine and cannabis was seized and destroyed.

Detective Inspector Emma Wright of the Economic Crime Unit said: "West Mercia Police is committed to tackling serious and organised crime in order to protect vulnerable people from harm.

"This includes removing assets from those who have benefited from the proceeds of such crime.

"The orders granted in respect of this group represent the results of a time-consuming criminal investigation and linked financial investigation.

"The results mean those who have benefited from these offences will be stripped of their assets and demonstrate that ultimately crime does not pay."