Driver caught with bin bags containing £100,000 of drugs on his back seat near Warwick

A 60-year-old man who was caught driving near Warwick with bin bags containing £100,000 of drugs on his back seat has been jailed for more than four years.

On Friday, February 3, officers pulled Christopher McLean over as he drove on the M40 near Warwick.

Officers suspected that McLean was driving a vehicle with false number plates and, as they spoke to him, they noticed two open bin bags on his back seat which appeared to have illicit contents.

A search was conducted, revealing cannabis and white powder in the bags amounting to 1.5kg cannabis resin, 5.9kg Amphetamine, and 3.3 kg Cannabis.

The vehicle was also confirmed to be on false plates, and McLean was identified as being disqualified from driving.

McLean, of Ashbourne Road in Liverpool, was then arrested on suspicion of possession of class B drugs with intent to supply.

When Merseyside Police searched McLean’s Liverpool home address, they found a further large amount of controlled drugs together with a machete and a telescopic baton.

Forensic testing revealed the white powder to be amphetamine and this, combined with the cannabis seized, had a wholesale value of up to £36,000 and a street value of around £100,000.

During interview McLean declined to comment or provide any explanation.

He was charged and remanded to be put before the court the following day with two counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing amphetamine with intent to supply, driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance.

McLean was bailed from court and appeared at Warwick Crown Court on April 14, where he pleaded guilty to the offences charged and was sentenced to 51 months in prison.

Detective Sergeant Hampton, who led the investigation said: "As a result of good police work a significant volume of controlled drugs was seized and prevented from being distributed to our communities.

"The supply and use of controlled drugs causes significant harm to people and their families in which drug abuse takes place.

"The supply and use of illegal drugs often comes with violence, intimidation and coercion. It is very important we try to put a stop to this."