Shropshire seven gained £1.2 million for roles in drugs plot

Four of the drug dealers – James Stubbings, Deborah Northwood, Gordon Smith and Andrew Morgan – were all said to have each benefited by £250,000 from the conspiracy.

In addition Kenneth Preston's benefit was calculated at £100,000, David Maloney's was valued at £48,000 and Ross Myatt at £50,000.

The figures were revealed during a series of Proceeds of Crime hearings at Birmingham Crown Court when applications for confiscation orders were made against the defendants following extensive financial enquiries by the West Mercia police economic crime unit.

Judge Michael Chambers QC imposed orders on all seven defendants to hand over monies – totalling around £105,000 – from their estimated available assets.

The realisable assets of 31-year-old Stubbings were said to be just £3,000 and including hidden assets.

Stubbings has until February next year to pay up or face a further two months in prison.

In March last year Stubbings, of Stone Row, Malinslee, Telford, was jailed for seven years for his role in the drugs conspiracy.

Northwood, a mother-of-seven, of York Road, Shrewsbury, was ordered to pay £12,500.

Her realisable funds were also said to include hidden assets and she faces eight months in prison if the monies are not paid by February next year.

Last year 43-year-old Northwood, who was said to have played a leading role in the supply of cocaine, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Smith was said to have £10,000 in available assets and has six months to pay the monies or serve a further six months in prison.

The 36-year-old, from York Road, Shrewsbury, was jailed for a total of four years.

Morgan, 37, of New Park Street, Shrewsbury, was jailed for six years for his role in the conspiracy.

His available funds, including hidden assets, were said to be £8,000 which has to be paid by February or he faces a further six months in prison.

Preston, 43, must pay a confiscation order for £17,500 or face an additional year in custody.

In March last year Preston, of Hurleybrook Way, Leegomery, was jailed for five years.

Maloney, 34, was determined to have realisable funds of £48,000, including hidden assets, and faces a further 18 months in prison if the monies are not paid by February next year.

In March last year Maloney, of Dalford Court, Hollinswood, was jailed for six years.

Myatt, 30, of Dallamoor, Hollinswood, was jailed last year for five years. His realisable funds, including hidden assets, were estimated at £5,000, to be paid by February with three months prison in default.

The defendants were among 22 people convicted and jailed after a covert police investigation more than two years ago, codenamed Operation Active.

The plot to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis in Shropshire was run from the Phoenix Car Centre in Shrewsbury.