TWO men have been jailed and more than £100,000 worth of cannabis seized after officers stopped a car with a cracked windscreen on the M6 near Warrington.
The arrests took place after police stopped a red Renault Kangoo near Thelwall Viaduct after spotting the vehicle had a cracked windscreen.
They spoke to the two occupants regarding the damage and gave the driver, 36-year-old Derek Miller, breath and drugs tests.
Following a positive drugs test, officers went on to search the car and discovered three vacuum bags full of cannabis weighing a total of 26kg, believed to be valued at between £104,000 and £182,000.
Both Miller and the passenger in the car, 46-year-old Mark Lindsey, were arrested on and subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs.
Miller, of Louisville Avenue, Cambusnethan, Wishaw, and Lindsey, of Thrashbush Avenue, Cambusnethan, Wishaw, both pleaded guilty to the charge at Chester Crown Court yesterday.
Miller was jailed for eight months and Lindsey for six months.
After the hearing PC Martyn Huyton-Berry said: “This is a fantastic result following a simple stop check for a cracked windscreen we’ve recovered more than £100,000 worth of Class B drugs and two men are now behind bars.
“The impact that illegal drugs have on our communities cannot be underestimated which is why we will not stop with our efforts to make Cheshire a hostile environment for criminals.
“I hope this result sends out a strong warning to other offenders that if you come to Cheshire to commit crime, you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.”
Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in their area can report it to Cheshire Police via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
