Two men jailed and drugs seized following stop check in Cheshire

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.

At around 1pm on Tuesday 17 January, officers from Cheshire Constabulary’s Roads and Crime Unit spotted a red Renault Kangoo near to Thelwall viaduct which had a cracked windscreen.

Officers stopped the car and spoke to the two occupants regarding the damage. The driver of car, 36-year-old Derek Miller, was subjected to a roadside breath and drugs test.

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 suspicion of drugs offences.

The pair were 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. 

The pair returned to Chester Crown Court on Monday 24 April where Miller was jailed for eight months and Lindsey was sentenced to six months in prison. 

Following the sentencing, Police Constable Martyn Huyton-Berry, of the Northern Area Investigation Team, 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