A DRUG dealer has been ordered to pay back almost £190,000 of his “ill gotten gains”.

Imran Afzal, aged 30, formerly of Perendale Rise in Astley Bridge, was jailed for two years in December after dishonestly taking out two mortgages based on money made from crime.

Afzal and his wife, Shama, applied for a mortgage of £100,000, putting down a deposit of £95,000, for a home in Perendale Rise. The application was from Mrs Afzal and claimed she earned £27,000 a year.

A mortgage application was also made for a home in Grierson Street, Astley Bridge. The application was for a £50,000 mortgage on a £53,000 house. Afzal was arrested for fraud by false representation and money laundering. Mrs Afzal was arrested and her accounts were investigated but officers found there had been no spending over four years except for tax credits being paid in. Charges against her were later dropped.

Officers continued to investigate Afzal after he was jailed in September, 2011, for possession of cannabis with intent to supply, using or possessing criminal property and being concerned in the supply of drugs.

He was arrested after officers caught him dealing drugs.

They searched his home and found cannabis worth £14,310 along with £23,461 cash, which was seized.

Financial investigators looked into Afzal’s assets and discovered he had three cars worth more than £16,000 in total, two homes and cash in various bank accounts. Judge Elliot Knopf ordered Afzal to repay the money within six months or face an additional 30 months imprisonment.

At Bolton Crown Court yesterday, he said: “The benefit he obtained from criminal activity was £229,322 and the resources available is £167,634. I direct it be paid by Wednesday, September 11, at 4pm.

“Any default and you will serve 30 months imprisonment.”

Tony Wood, financial investigator for Greater Manchester Police, said: “He is a man who has acquired all the trappings associated with drug dealing, including two houses, three cars and substantial finances in bank accounts.

“People of Bolton can be happy that we will remove the trappings from drug dealers in the area.”