Police find huge stash of drugs hidden in car after stopping it because of cracked windscreen

Police have spoken out after stopping a car for its cracked windscreen, only to find a whopping amount of drugs located inside.

Derek Miller and Mark Lindsey were driving on the M6 motorway near Warrington in a red Renault Kangoo when they were pulled over by police.

While initially being apprehended near the Thelwall Viaduct over a cracked windscreen, police soon realised there was a much greater issue with the vehicle, and a more serious crime being committed.

Cheshire Police

Police initially pulled over the vehicle because of its cracked windscreen - as it's a motoring offence to drive with a damaged windscreen.

"The Highway Code states that drivers should have a full view of the road ahead and glass should be maintained in a good condition.

"A cracked windscreen can obscure driver view - if a motorist is stopped, it could result in a fixed penalty of three points on their licence and a fine," the RAC explains.

Cheshire Police

After pulling the car over on Tuesday, 17 January, police also performed a breathalyser test on driver Derek Miller, which showed up positive for drugs.

As a result, police then searched the vehicle only to find a hefty 26kg of cannabis located inside - packaged into three vacuum-packed bags.

The 26kg of cannabis is reported by the Mirror as having an estimated street value of anywhere around £104,000 and £182,000.

Google Maps

On suspicion of drug offences, both 36-year-old Miller and passenger, 46-year-old Mark Lindsey, were immediately arrested at the scene and were later charged with being in supply of Class B drugs.

Both Miller and Lindsey pleaded guilty to the offence and earlier this week (Monday, 24 April) at Chester Crown Court, Miller was sentenced to eight months in jail and Lindsey six.

Police Constable Martyn Huyton-Berry from the Northern Area Investigation Team, said, as per Manchester Evening News: "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.

Topics: Drugs, UK News, Crime, True Crime, Cars

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.