Cracked windscreen brings down drug ring as pair caught with £100k of cannabis

25 April 2023 , 11:29

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Derek Miller (left) and Mark Lindsey

Two men were caught with more than £100,000 worth of cannabis after police stopped them on the M6 with a cracked windscreen.

Officers spotted the Renault Kangoo near to Thelwall viaduct and stopped the car in January this year.

Police spoke to the two people inside the car regarding the damage and 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.

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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, April 24 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 here or report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Olivia Williams