A FINSTALL man who was sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison for his role in a major drug smuggling operation has been ordered to pay back almost half a million pounds.

Robert Whitehouse, 70, formerly of Dusthouse Lane, was one of five men who were sentenced between 2014 and 2015 after pleading guilty for their part in smuggling drugs into the UK.

Whitehouse was sentenced for conspiracy to import class A, conspiracy to import class B, conspiracy to supply MDMA, conspiracy to supply amphetamine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, January 9, 2017, for a confiscation hearing, where he was ordered to pay back £442,945.67 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In total, the five men have been ordered to pay back £659,774.71.

The major international investigation into the importation of cannabis, amphetamines and MDMA saw arrests take place across the West Midlands and the Netherlands.

A total of £13.5 million worth of drugs were seized, including more than 1000 kg of cannabis, 107 kg of MDMA and 64 kg of amphetamines.

West Mercia Police Inspector Andy Bailey said: "This investigation, known as Operation Goal, uncovered a significant organised crime group who were responsible for importing and distributing significant amounts of controlled drugs around the UK.

"The success of the investigation relied upon close cooperation with law enforcement agencies around the United Kingdom and Europe.

"We would like to thank all the UK forces and agencies involved in supporting our inquiries - the Warwickshire, Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, Staffordshire, Gwent, Greater Manchester and West Midlands forces, the West Midlands Regional Asset Recovery Team and National Crime Agency - as well as the Dutch and German authorities.

"The dedication and combined efforts of these police forces and agencies resulted in the disruption of this organised crime group and also saw a huge quantity of illegal drugs taken off the streets.

"The sentences that these men have received, followed by the recent significant confiscation orders should send out a clear message to all criminals, or those thinking of getting involved in criminal activity, that crime does not pay."

The drugs were imported into the UK from various locations in the Netherlands using legitimate hauliers who had no idea of the true nature of the loads they were carrying.

Once in the UK the drugs were taken to haulage yards in the region, where the parcels were separated and subsequently collected by organised crime groups from around the UK.

All of this activity was coordinated from a small office on a farm in Kempsey, Worcestershire.

Some of the other men convicted following the investigation appeared in court and have also been told to pay back money under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Robert Scott, 69, formerly from Broughton Hackett, Worcester, was ordered to pay £44,966.88 when he appeared at court on October 27 2016.

Peter Hillback, 44, formerly of Cheslyn Hay, Walsall, was ordered to pay £10,967.15 when he appeared at court on September 25 2015.

Nigel Gordon Powell, 54, formerly of Ross-on-Wye, was ordered to pay £3820.00 when he appeared at court on October 30 2015.

Nikki Whybrow, 39, formerly of Aylsham Lane, Romford, Essex, was ordered to pay £157,075.01 when he appeared at court on January 12 2016.