A TAXI driver turned drugs chauffeur made £75,000 out of trafficking heroin and crack cocaine into Worcester say prosecutors who are now seeking to claw back the criminal cash.

Shakur Hussain was one of four conspirators jailed for a County Lines drug dealing operation to bring class A drugs into Worcester, foiled as part of Operation Blade. It was a conspiracy which came to an end in dramatic fashion on a Worcester street when one of the conspirators drove over the leg of a police officer during a failed getaway, causing him serious injuries.

Hussain, now 39, previously of Compton Road, Worcester did not appear at the hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday.

We previously reported how Hussain was jailed for four years after he was found guilty by majority decision of the conspiracy and of possession of criminal property.

His boss, ‘kingpin' Asgar Khalfe, aged 33, of Townley Gardens, Aston, Birmingham, his 'trusted lieutenant' Terry Melsom, aged 22, of no fixed abode and Melsom's driver, Christopher Franklin, 35, of Barbourne Road, Worcester, all admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine between January 1 and October 16 2017.

Franklin further admitted section 20 grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.

Khalfe further admitted possession of criminal property and production of crack cocaine.

Last July Khalfe was jailed for 12 years, Franklin for five and a half years and Melsom for six years and five months.

At the hearing on Wednesday prosecutor Steven Bailey said a ‘benefit figure’ for Hussain of £75,746 had been identified with available assets of something over £33,000 calculated, some of the equity being in a house in Worcester.

Mr Bailey said: “The real battle (between the prosecution and the defence) will be the benefit figure rather than the assets.”

Mr Bailey told judge Nicolas Cartwright that Hussain had been Khalfe’s ‘regular driver’ and made payments on his behalf, allowing Khalfe to remain ‘under the radar financially’.

Khalfe was previously described by Mr Bailey, as 'the kingpin' and a 'financial ghost' who used street dealers and trusted lieutenants to remain under the radar while organising the trafficking of heroin and crack cocaine into Worcester, putting out adverts to users.

The conspiracy was foiled in dramatic fashion when police officers swooped on two cars in Worcester on October 16, 2017. Police attempted to stop a Vauxhall Zafira driven by Franklin with Melsom in the passenger seat in Shrubbery Avenue.

DC Simon Lloyd, wearing plain clothes, got out of his car and held out his badge.

But Franklin drove over his foot, fracturing the officer's right leg and damaging ligaments which later required reconstructive surgery. The injuries have caused lasting nerve damage and ongoing pain.

On the same day police stopped Hussain's taxi in Loves Grove, next to Worcester Police Station. Inside the Mercedes they found Khalfe and £1,890 of criminal cash.

Hussain had booked City Nites apartments in Arena View, Edward Street, Birmingham under his own name, later used by Khalfe as a crack cocaine factory.

Sophie Murray, for Hussain, has instructed a forensic accountant because the amounts of cash involved are understood to be disputed by the defence. This forensic accountancy report must be served by September 13 this year.

The case was adjourned for an all day proceeds of crime application on December 4 this year.

This will take place at either Worcester Crown Court or Hereford Crown Court.