A CONSTRUCTION boss whose greed led him to play a leading role in a Bradford cocaine supplying business has been jailed for eight years and eight months.

Father-of-six Rafiq Khan bought and sold drugs from his mini market shop in Mavis Street, Barkerend, Bradford, and was caught in possession of a kilo block of cocaine worth £40,000 when the police raided his home and Ford Ranger vehicle.

Khan, 30, of Barlow Street, Barkerend, was today sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on a video link to HMP Leeds.

His co-accused, Leonard Badwal, 23, of Airedale Road, Undercliffe, Bradford, was jailed for two and a half years.

Khan pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an organised crime group by trafficking Class A drugs, between February 7 and March 3 this year.

He also admitted possession of a kilo of cocaine with intent to supply it at his former address in Hutton Terrace, Eccleshill, Bradford, on September 27 and possession of cash as criminal property.

Badwal, also on remand in Leeds Prison, pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an organised crime group by trafficking Class B drugs at the same time.

Prosecutor Camille Morland said that both men had previous convictions for being involved in the supply of drugs.

She told the court that the police had information that drugs were being bought and sold from Khan’s shop while Badwal was “a peripheral” member of the group involved in low level cannabis dealing.

The police monitored CCTV of the area and Khan was caught on camera handing cash to the driver of a white BMW, weighing suspected Class A drugs and retrieving a package from the shop to take to a vehicle.

Badwal was seen dealing cannabis on more than 200 occasions, Miss Morland said.

On September 27, the police swooped on Khan’s home in Hutton Terrace and searched the Ford Ranger parked outside.

A kilo block of cocaine of 82-89% purity and a bag of cash were seized from the vehicle.

Miss Morland said that Khan’s then home was “luxuriously furnished.”

His previous convictions included conspiracy to supply controlled drugs for which he was jailed for five years.

Badwal had a conviction for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Miss Morland said that Khan played a leading role in the supply ring, directly and organising the commercial sale and purchase of Class A drugs and using the shop as a cover.

His barrister, Alasdair Campbell, pointed to the fact that the charge covered a single month. There was “scant” information that it was any longer than that.

Khan’s address at the time was a rented property and neighbouring homes had similar “lavish” décor because that was the specification to be met by the builder.

“He didn’t put in a brand spanking new kitchen,” Mr Campbell said.

Khan, a qualified plasterer, had run a successful construction company employing six people. Important contracts included rebuilding Manningham Sports Centre and working on mosques, Mr Campbell told the court.

He had been locked up on remand during the Covid pandemic making it difficult to see his family.

Shufqat Khan, Badwal’s barrister, said he was still a young man and able to make changes in his life.

He had supplied a Class B drug for a month and was, as stated earlier, a peripheral member of the organisation, working as a low level dealer.

Judge Jonathan Rose said a clear message had to be sent out that those who participated in such criminal activity would receive substantial prison sentences.

“If you choose to involve yourself in an organised crime group the sentence must reflect the need to punish, protect the public and deter others,” he said.

Khan had run a crime ring that operated out of his premises and involved a substantial number of transactions, with a substantial number of people involved, including Badwal who was seen more than 200 times dealing cannabis.

Judge Rose said Khan had a successful construction business and had been motivated entirely by greed to run the drugs organisation alongside it.

As for being remanded in the prison lockdown, his offending was “in full swing” during the Covid pandemic so he knew what to expect.

Judge Rose set a timetable for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing.