A PASSENGER in a car stopped by police handed over a rucksack which he admitted contained cannabis.

Blackburn magistrates heard the officers discovered a number of jars and tins containing different varieties of the drug.

And Mohammed Hashim Shah told them he was on his way home from a cannabis party in London.

Shah, 33, of Commercial Street, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to possessing 38.7 grams of cannabis.

He was made subject to a community order for eight months with six month drug rehabilitation requirement and 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also made subject to a curfew between 9pm and 6am for six weeks and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Joanne Cronshaw, prosecuting, said police stopped a car in Staffordshire and Shah was the front seat passenger.

As well as the cannabis the police recovered a set of scales which Shah said he had to make sure he didn't get ripped off by dealers.

Mrs Cronshaw said Shah had a previous conviction for possessing cannabis with intent to supply.