DEFENDANTS accused of involvement in a multimillion pound gang dealing heroin in South Wales denied any knowledge of it in interview, a court heard.

Seven are on trial alleged to have been part of a Newport-based gang caught with around £5 million worth of the Class A drug and associated money. Five others have admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, the jury was told.

Cardiff Crown Court heard an interview with Zawed Malik, 40, of Manchester, yesterday.

He was arrested at a service station in Symonds Yat on November 18 last year. Police found banknotes in the vehicle to the value of £223,555 but Malik told police he did not know about the money. “I don’t know anything about the money or the suitcase. I don’t want it – you lot can have it”, he told police.

The jury also heard interviews with Khalid Yassen, 29, of Cardiff. He said he did not know about heroin and had not handled the drugs.

Tracy Ford, 38, of Cardiff, is alleged to have offered a “safe house” for storing the drug. The jury heard her partner Paul Thomas had admitted conspiracy to supply heroin.

Her fingerprints were found on seized bags of money, the court heard.

Shazia Ahmed, 37, of Leonard Street in Newport, Wasim Ali, 29, of Harrow Road in Newport, Umar Butt, 24, of Cardiff and Umar Arif, 28, of Cardiff are also on trial.

All deny conspiracy to supply heroin between October 27 last year and January 30 this year.

Proceeding.