Twin brothers who were involved in a cocaine  dealing and money laundering operation over a period of five years have been jailed.

Their co-defendant, one of the brothers’ partners, has narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

Burnley Crown Court heard how twins, Sohail and Rohail Khan, along with Sohail’s girlfriend, Jade Mendes, were involved in the supply of Class A drugs between October 2017 and September 2022.

They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs as well as possession of criminal property; money from the sale of drugs.

Lancashire Telegraph: Sohail KhanSohail Khan (Image: Lancs Police)

Prosecuting, Paul Brookwell said: “The case came about as a result of seizure and examination of mobile phones, recovery of money, and the discovery of drugs.

“There were drugs found on February 13 last year, where Rohail Khan was found with 10 wraps of cocaine, of 2.75g, to a value of £200.

“A phone was recovered from him, and the Crown say this was a dealer’s phone. He was also in possession of £500 in cash.”

The next action was taken on July 12 when a search was carried out of Cardigan Avenue in Burnley where Jade Mendes was staying.

A phone was recovered from here, linking to a drugs line. There was also £8,942 in cash recovered and drugs packaging.

Mr Brookwell continued: “The packaging was one of the reasons why the Crown say she was the person who bagged up some of the drugs on some occasions.”

On September 9, Fletcher Street in Nelson was searched, where Rohail and Sohail Khan were located.

Sohail Khan was found with two lumps of cash, one of £6,975 and one of £1,305, and Rohail Khan was found with £1,695 in cash.

Police also recovered mobile phones which were said to have been involved in facilitating the unlawful supply of drugs, and evidence of street level supply.

Lancashire Telegraph: Rohail KhanRohail Khan (Image: Lancs Police)

Mr Brookwell also told the court text messages were found in relation to how much profit the trio were making, with complaints that only £250 was being made at a time when they should have been making double this amount.

Rohail Khan, 27, has one previous conviction for possession with intent to supply class A drugs in 2015 for which he received a suspended sentence.

Sohail Khan, also 27, has one previous conviction for supply of class A drugs from 2016, and then another conviction in July 2020 which interrupted the conspiracy when he was jailed for 30 months for possession with intent to supply drugs.

Jade Mendes, 31, has no previous convictions.

Offering mitigation, Anna Chestnutt said both of her clients, Sohail and Rohail Khan, had been drug users and had fallen into the pattern of using, drug debt and drug supply, but were keen to put the past behind them.

Bob Elias, for Mendes, said his client had never been in custody before and was coerced and pressured into selling the drugs by her partner at the time, Sohail Khan.

Mendes, of Cardigan Avenue, Burnley received two years in prison suspended for 22 months, 25 rehabilitation activity days and 180 hours unpaid work.

Sohail and Rohail Khan, of Fletcher Street, Nelson, each received six years in prison.

PC Tom Archer, of East Target Crime Team, said: “We are committed to pro-actively targeting OCGs who seek to profit from the misery of others and bring violence to our communities.

“The Khan brothers and Mendes thought they were untouchable in the community.

"I hope their convictions and sentences show that nobody is untouchable and if you engage in serious and organised crime you should expect an early knock at the door from Lancashire Police.”