drug dealer caught trying to fly from Birmingham to Pakistan with heroin in his bag must pay back £300,000

• Majid Hussain, 43, was caught with class A drugs at Birmingham Airport
• His drug empire was uncovered when police found heroin and a gun at his home
• His 12-year jail term will be lengthened if he does not pay the money back

Majid Hussain, 43, was jailed for 12 years last August but West Midlands Police have set about reclaiming the money he gained from his drug dealing empire

A major drug dealer who was caught trying to smuggle heroin through Birmingham Airport has been ordered to pay back almost £300,000 of his ill-gotten gains within three months - or face longer behind bars.

Majid Hussain, 43, was arrested for having a wrap of class A drugs when he tried to board a flight to Pakistan in February 2016.

His illegal drug empire was uncovered soon after as searches of his home in Nansen Road, Saltley, produced heroin, a gun, ammunition and a Taser along with hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash. 

He was jailed for 12 years in August last year but officers from West Midlands Police's economic crime payback team set about recovering some of his illegally gained money. 

Detective Constable Rob Gough, from the financial investigation unit, said: 'Hussain was a dangerous man who made a lot of money from his criminal behaviour which we have now managed to claw back.

'Drugs and guns in the wrong hands can cause misery within our communities and this case reinforces the message that crime doesn't pay, as even after a conviction we will seek to recover any ill-gotten gains.' 

Hussain was ordered to pay back £295,000 within three months, or have another three years added to his jail term, at a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Birmingham Crown Court.

A further £33,000 he illegally benefitted from will also have to be handed over.

Money obtained through POCA is used to fund community projects through the Police & Crime Commissioner's Active Citizens Fund.