AN EX-soldier who supplied heroin, boasting he had the best drugs in Blackburn, has been jailed for three years and eight months.

Mohammed Bostan was caught dealing to an undercover officer on half a dozen occasions.

He turned supplier for a period of up to two months, in order to fund his own drug use.

The judge at Preston Crown Court said it was a sad state of affairs that someone with a 'most impressive background' should be in that position.

Bostan, 26, of Cherry Street, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to six charges of supplying heroin.

An undercover officer had been deployed in the Blackburn area last October.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said the officer made contact with a man and as a result, contact was made with someone known as Chief, who was the defendant.

Miss Kehoe told the court: “He said he did the best gear in Blackburn and that the other man was to ring him whenever he wanted to.”

As a result, several meetings were arranged where drugs were exchanged for cash.

Back in 2003, he was given 18 months jail for possessing the drugs heroin and cocaine with intent to supply.

Mr Bunty Batra, defending, said his client’s appearance in court was a ‘tragedy’.