THREE drug dealers are facing lengthy prison sentences for their part in a supply plot, said to involve a £170,000 stash of heroin.

Rockab Afzal’s role was said, by the prosecution, to have been to keep the key for the vehicle the haul was found in.

Burnley Crown Court heard claims that, at some stage after Afzal’s arrest, a Renault car had its windows put in and an attempt was made to take it away on a low loader.

The key to that vehicle was found in the defendant’s girlfriend’s car, and the car had its windows smashed because Afzal had been arrested and police were likely to find the key.

Afzal, of May Street, Barrowford, was said to have supplied heroin to an undercover police officer, last August.

He has admitted conspiracy to supply the drug between December 15, 2011 and April 22, 2013, together with Shahid Ansar, 22, of St Paul's Road, Nelson, and Ishfaq Hussain, 25, of Brierdale Road, Bradford.

Ansar owned up on the basis his role was to hold the dealing phones.

It was not his conspiracy, but he played a part in it. Hussain pleaded guilty and also admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply, and possessing a prohibited weapon, last August 15.

The trio were due to be sentenced, but will now learn their fate on October 23. They are facing lengthy jail terms.

Afzal has already served three-and-half years in prison for peddling crack cocaine and heroin.

He was jailed in February 2009, after admitting three counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.