Seatbelt check results in more than three years prison for money laundering drug dealer

A 50-year-old Warrington man who was stopped by police for not wearing a seatbelt has been jailed for more than three years, after officers later discovered cannabis worth between £166,500 and £194,250 and more than £40,000 in cash.

Following further searches of addresses linked to Michael Sherwood they also discovered more than one million counterfeit cigarettes.

Officers had seen Sherwood driving without a seatbelt on Hilden roundabout at around 9.30am on Saturday 24 July.
After stopping his car on Lysander Drive, Sherwood admitted that he was in possession of a small amount of cannabis.
However, when searching his car officers discovered more than £20,000 worth of cash and further cannabis along with a number of mobile phones.
Sherwood was arrested at the scene and three further searches were carried out at addresses linked to him, resulting in the recovery a large quantity of packed cannabis, another £20,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.
Specialist officers determined that the cannabis seized had a street value of between £166,500 and £194,250.
Sherwood was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs and money laundering.
Sherwood, of Vulcan Close, Padgate, Warrington, pleaded guilty to both offences.
He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Monday 23 August where he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Mike McDermott, from Warrington’s Beat Team, said: “This is great work by two of our officers and truly shows the value of police stop checks.
“What started as a basic seat belt check resulted in the seizure of more than £166,000 worth of cannabis, more than one million counterfeit cigarettes and £41,150 in cash.
“On top of this, Sherwood is now behind bars for more than three years.
“During our investigation it was clear that Sherwood has played a leading role in the supply of illegal drugs in the Warrington area, selling cannabis on a commercial scale.
“While this investigation has been resolved our fight against illegal drugs and those who supply them continues.
“Intelligence supplied by members of the public is crucial to this fight and I urge anyone with any information about suspected drug related activity in their community to get in touch.
“You will be listened to and we will investigate the matter.”
Members of the public can report suspected drug dealing to Cheshire Constabulary directly by calling 101 or giving the details online.
Following the sentencing, a POCA hearing has also been scheduled for Friday 12 November where the court will decide what will happen to the cash seized by officers during the investigation.