A MAN who ran a multi-million pound drug supply and money-laundering operation has been jailed for more than 10 years.

Preston Crown Court heard how Labib Arshid was linked to 333kg of amphetamine with a street value of £8.5million.

The court heard the 44-year-old also laundered £10.8million through a series of businesses.

Surveillance began on Arshid in December last year after Barclays Bank became concerned about suspicious activity in business accounts, mainly for takeaways.

Following an investigation by the police and customs officials he was arrested on December 11 outside Barclays in Chorley when he was found with almost £100,000 in his car in three plastic bags.

This came straight after he had completed ‘multiple large cash deposits’ at Lloyds bank in Darwen.

A search at Arshid’s home at Higher Springfield Barn, Belthorn Road, Guide, uncovered a large quantity of drugs along with £841,000 in notes.

Arshid, and Rebecca Sherwood, 31, both of Belthorn Road, Guide, appeared at Preston Crown Court last week where he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a class B drug with intent to supply and two counts of money laundering.

The charges against Sherwood were not proceeded with and ordered to lie on the file.

Sentencing Arshid to 10-and-a-half years in prison, Judge Mark Brown, honorary recorder of Preston, said: “Arshid was involved with the deposit of large sums of cash in banks in East Lancashire and parts of Greater Manchester.

“No doubt he was involved in a real and serious organised crime group.

“This is class B drug dealing on a truly massive scale.

“He undoubtedly had a leading role and had close links to the service and supply of the drugs.”

As part of the investigation bags of money, drugs and equipment were found hidden in the renovated barn in Guide, the court heard.

Prosecutor Nicola Daley said items were found under loft floorboards, in sports bags, behind tiles in an ensuite bathroom and in bedrooms.

She also said bank slips and notepads were found which showed just short of £11million had been banked over the previous four months.

A money-counting machine, a vacuum and sealable bags were also found.

The court heard Barclays became aware after seeing a large increase in turnover in accounts of business.

The money was deposited using the cash drop systems at various banks and CCTV was captured of the defendant depositing the money.

An example of this was a takeaway in Glasgow, which had a turnover in 2016 of £46,000 but last year from September alone it had increased to £141,000.

Ms Daley said Arshid was involved with the counting and bagging of money as part of the operation.

Arshid had 14 previous convictions including a sentence of 40 months in prison for possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Defending, Imran Shafi said Arshid was ‘directed by a controller in Dubai’ when carrying out the money laundering.

Mr Shafi also said Arshid had ‘goodness within him’ to work with once he gets out of prison.

He said: “It’s a shame he has chosen the path he has.

“He is kind, helpful and a good friend and person.

“His mother is elderly and unwell and it is a source of great shame for him he has added to her sadness.”

Detective Sergeant Darren Irving said: “This was a major investigation which has resulted in a significant quantity of drugs being removed from circulation.”

“I would like to thank our partners at Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs for their co-operation in bringing Arshid before the courts and securing this conviction and sentence.”

Paul Maybury, assistant director of fraud investigation services at HMRC, said: “Tackling money laundering is a priority for HMRC and we will not hesitate to investigate those suspected of being involved. “We ask anyone with information about this kind of activity to contact our HMRC Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.”