Four men who conspired to flood the streets of East Lancashire with cocaine from their Blackburn base have been jailed for almost 30 years.

Lancashire Police took down their Chyna drugs line, which was headed by Asar Khan.

In April 2019, officers recovered a vehicle from close to Khan’s home address in July Street, Blackburn, in which they found a kilo of cocaine which Khan was forensically linked to.

On December 9, 2022, police executed a search warrant at the home of Essa Akram and found £5,000 in cash.

Vakar Ellahi, left, and Essa AkramVakar Ellahi, left, and Essa Akram (Image: Lancashire Police)

Eight days later, officers, approached a vehicle parked between June Street and July Street, Blackburn, which was driven at them.

The vehicle was registered to a third defendant, Ghaffar Ahmed, and insured to his co-defendant’s son, Asar Khan.

Further enquiries also placed fourth defendant Vakar Ellahi in the area at the time of the incident.

On December 21, 2022, Ellahi was in Bolton at the same time as the Chyna drugs line.

On January 14, 2023 he sent a text to the line saying: “I need my wage.”

Two days later, officers seized a vehicle which was registered and insured to Ahmed and also insured to Khan. Within that vehicle, there were 105 wraps of cocaine and 79 wraps of cannabis.

Ghaffar Ahmed, left, and Asar KhanGhaffar Ahmed, left, and Asar Khan (Image: Lancashire Police)

On February 26, 2023, Akram was caught on CCTV entering a petrol station to purchase a top-up to the line.

On March 29, 2023, Ellahi was arrested in Colne.

Ahmed was arrested at an address in Mill Hill and his phone was seized. A top-up receipt found in a bin was linked back to Ellahi.

Ekram was arrested at his home in Blackburn. He had thrown a mobile phone into his neighbour’s garden and when recovered by officers, they found it to be the Chyna line.

Cash seized from the home of Essa AkramCash seized from the home of Essa Akram (Image: Lancashire Police)

They also found £10,000 cash in Ekram’s bedroom and eight wraps of cocaine parked in a car outside.

All four men appeared at Preston Crown Court last Tuesday (June 18) and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Today (June 24) at the same court, Judge Sarah O’Brien said: “Those who involve themselves in the supply of drugs bring misery and despair. Each of you is part of a conspiracy to supply class A drugs and you must understand each of you bears a responsibility.

“All the defendants accept their parts amounted to a significant role.”

The sentences were as follows:

  • Asar Khan, 39, of July Street, Blackburn – Eight years and six months
  • Vakar Ellahi, 29, of Trevor Close, Blackburn – Seven years and 10 months
  • Ghaffar Ahmed, 43, of Adelaide Terrace, Blackburn – Seven years and six months
  • Essa Akram, 23, of Skelshaw Close, Blackburn – Five years

DS Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said: “These conspirators targeted the most vulnerable member of society in their pursuit of the high life.

“I welcome the sentences handed down by the judge which reflects the seriousness of their actions and the consequences of selling illegal drugs in East Lancashire.”