A YOUNG Blackburn man who agreed to act as a drugs courier, only to be caught in the act, has paid the penalty with two and-a half-years detention.

Mubarak Patel had a haul of cocaine and heroin which would have brought at least £9,000 on the streets.

Patel, 20, of Corwen Close, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. The Preston Crown Court judge who sent him down told him: "The message must go out that those who traffic in drugs, even on a one-off basis, must pay the price". David Pickup, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said two police officers happened to be on duty in May last year when they noticed a red BMW car in Fitzgerald Street, Ribbleton, Preston.

Suspicions were aroused as there were several people around the vehicle.

As one officer leaned in through a window, there was the unmistakable smell of burning cannabis.

Patel was the driver and two passengers were smoking cannabis.

A full search of the car was made, with the assistance of a police dog. In the boot and inside a tracksuit top there were large white crystals, plus a T shirt containing heroin.

Mr Peter Turner, defending, said Patel had never previously been involved in any drugs offence.

The lawyer stressed that Patel - who was 19 at the time - was not part of a drug dealing ring.

He came from a good, honest family.