AN international drug trafficker who used the proceeds of his crimes to buy seven homes in West London, has been stripped of his assets by the National Crime Agency.

This was despite putting some of the properties in family members' names in an attempt to protect them.

Amir Azam, 43, is currently serving a four-year sentence after being convicted of drug offences earlier this year.

The NCA launched a civil recovery action against Azam in a bid to recover the proceeds of his criminal work.

A recovery order was granted in September against five of the seven homes in Greenford, Hillingdon, Isleworth, Hounslow and Chiswick, as well as money from five bank accounts in the UK and Luxembourg.

The High Court yesterday gave the go-ahead for the remaining properties – homes in Southall and Hounslow – to be recovered.

Assets seized totalled approx £3.3m.

Stephanie Jeavons, deputy director of the NCA's Economic Crime Command, said: “Azam and his extended family were able to enjoy the fruits of his drug trafficking without interruption for many years.

“He thought he could get round the law by putting the homes in family members’ names. He was wrong.”