A DRUGS gang jailed for 16 years made more than £320,000 trafficking cocaine in the Gwent Valleys.

Joshua Billingham, Leon Sullivan, Ellis Brace and Jamie Grady were back in court to face the music for their Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing.

The four were part of a criminal gang operating in the Caerphilly area.

At Newport Crown Court, Judge Daniel Williams was told how much dirty money they had made.

Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said the gang’s boss Billingham, 24, jailed for seven years, profited by £244,612.05.

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He has £16,080 that can be seized and which he must hand over within three months or face an extra eight months in prison.

Sullivan, 24, jailed for four years, benefited by £44,411.80 and has £1,550 available which must be handed over with 31 days or he faces two more months in prison.

Brace, 25, jailed for three years, made £30,135 and has £3,370 which can be seized which he must transfer within three months or face an additional four months in custody.

Grady, 21, of East Avenue, Bedwas, Caerphilly, jailed for two years, profited by £3,377.66 and has £1,600 which can be confiscated.

The court heard that is a watch which will be sold at auction.

He must comply with terms of the POCA or face three more months in prison.

Two other co-defendants, who both received suspended jail sentences, are due to face their POCA hearings at a future date.

They are Adam Bird, 26, of Goodrich Street, Caerphilly, and Thomas Tucker, 23, of Meadow Way, Caerphilly.

When most of the gang were sentenced last November, Mr Cobbe told Cardiff Crown Court: “Billingham was at the top of the tree. He was the leading light.

“He played the leading role and he supplied the others. He was an upstream dealer supplying local dealers.

“The defendant’s iPhone revealed a drug dealer’s list and Facebook chat messages chasing others for payment."