A BLIND Bradford man who was described as the "mastermind" behind a sophisticated drugs plot has been ordered to pay back nearly £250,000 from his ill-gotten gains.

Rizwan Arshad is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for his role as the leader of a gang which conspired together to distribute heroin and cocaine in Bradford and Huddersfield.

The 33-year-old was jailed in 2014 for his involvement in three separate conspiracies, but today he was back in court to face a further hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Arshad, of Lower Rushton Road, Thornbury, appeared at Bradford Crown Court alongside co-defendants Matthew Francois and Aftab Basharat, who were also jailed for their roles.

Francois, 36, of Benny Park Close, Batley, was jailed for 10 years after he was said to have been the head of the Huddersfield side of the operation.

Basharat, 25, of Derby Road, Bradford, received an eight-year sentence for his involvement.

Today Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC was told that Arshad's benefit from criminal conduct had been assessed at £567,180.

Back in 2012 Arshad was caught in a taxi with just over £108,000 in cash and today/yesterday Judge Durham Hall said that money would have to be paid over within 28 days.

Arshad's other available assets were said to be worth a further £137,765 and the judge ordered that amount to be paid within three months.

If Arshad does not pay up he faces a further 18 months in prison.

Francois' benefit figure was said to £243,505.03, but the court heard his available assets amounted to just £533.

He will get an extra month in prison if he does not pay up.

Basharat's benefit figure was calculated to be £257,180, but he has no available assets at present so the judge made a nominal order of just £1 in his case.

Arshad, who used a BMW car he obtained through a Motability scheme, was helped by drivers and "lieutenants" to run his drugs activities.

He was said to have had a second home in Salford Quays and he took trips to Dubai and Amsterdam as well as a holiday with his wife in Mauritius.

During the police inquiry more than £250,000 worth of cocaine was seized, along with £50,00 worth of heroin and 33 kilograms of cutting agents.