A MAN with links to a Blackburn drug packaging factory, where Class A substances worth £3,000 were discovered, has been jailed for nearly five years and eight months.

Tussif Ashraf's fingerprints were found on bags and his DNA found on a drinks can.

He faced a minimum jail term at Preston Crown Court because he had previous convictions for supplying or being concerned in drug supplying.

The 26-year-old, of Whitewell Place, Blackburn had pleaded guilty to four offences of being concerned in supplying drugs.

Police carried out a search of an address in Pemberton Street, Blackburn, on December 23 last year.

The premises were not being lived in, but had become a ‘drug packaging factory’, said Sue Carter, prosecuting.

Diamorphine, cocaine and crack cocaine was discovered, as well as cannabis.

The Class A drugs had a street value of around £3,000.

Ashraf was scientifically linked to various items, including a supermarket carrier bag.

He told police he had only been there to smoke cannabis.

He had two relevant convictions - one in 2004 for supplying and in 2010, for being concerned in heroin supply.

Ahmed Nadim, defending, said Ashraf had been cursed by drug addiction since the age of 14.

"He wasn't involved in the supplying. He was recruited to pack up the drugs in return for which supplies were given to him to meet his addiction", said the barrister.

"He realises he needs to alter his lifestyle. He no longer takes drugs."

Judge Heather Lloyd gave Ashraf a prison term of 2,045 days, which works out at nearly five years and eight months.

She told him: “You have spent most of your adult life in custody.”