AN addict who was involved in supplying heroin on the streets of Nelson has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Azram Younis, 32, had drugs worth more than £300 down his trousers when police stopped a car he was in.

A passenger in the vehicle also had heroin on him, which was from the same batch and had been packaged the same way using materials found at Younis’ home. Plastic bags and scales had been found at the defendant’s house.

Younis, of Charles Street, Nelson, had earlier admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply.

Sentencing, Recorder Andrew Thomas, QC, said he had been actively involved in supplying heroin in Nelson, last September.

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, told the court police saw a black Ford Fiesta in Chapelhouse Road, Nelson. They were told to observe it.

A woman came out of an address on the road and she and an Asian man got into the car. It set off and officers stopped it in Scotland Road.

Mr McEntee said the defendant was arrested and when he was taken to the police station, he was found to have a black plastic tube containing heroin in his boxer shorts.

He told police: “I’m holding it for someone else. I am not a dealer. I am just holding it.”

The back seat passenger in the car had 10 smaller bags of powder in his possession.

The drugs were sent off for forensic analysis. Mr McEntee said the drugs found on the defendant were 33 knotted bags and contained a total of 4.82 grams of heroin, of 11 per cent purity.

The passenger had 1.31 grams of drugs on him, of the same purity.

Forensic tests showed the heroin recovered from both Younis and the passenger were sourced from the same supply and wrapped using materials found at the defendant’s home.

The prosecutor said Younis was questioned by police and gave a prepared statement.

He claimed he had had no intention to supply, nor had he supplied, and the drugs were for his own personal use.

The defendant had 53 previous convictions. He last went to prison in 2005.

Hugh Barton, defending, said Younis had been battling a heroin addiction and the offence was an attempt to fund his own use.

He had been attending the community drugs team and was currently on methadone.

The defendant had long-standing problems with paranoia and anxiety and the taking of hard drugs would hardly help his condition.

Mr Barton said: “His partner stands by him. They have plans to move.”