M6 stop check in Cheshire uncovers £20k of cocaine and arsenal of weapons

A 42-year-old man has been jailed after up to GBP20,000 of cocaine and an arsenal of weapons were found during a police stop check on the M6. Robert Prior was caught with half a kilo of the Class A drug, along with an axe, machete and metal knuckle duster after a Nissan Navara pickup was pulled over in Cheshire. Cheshire Constabulary's Roads and Crime Unit was alerted to the vehicle, which had previously been linked to drug supply, travelling southbound on the motorway.

Officers stopped it between junction 19 for Tabley Interchange and junction 18 for MIddlewich and Holmes Chapel at around 1.20pm on Friday, May 19. Police spoke to Prior, the driver, before carrying out a search of his vehicle. He was arrested on suspicion of drugs offences following the seizures.

READ: Police called out as man, 50, found dead[1] Officers say nothing could have been done to save him READ: Arson-hit care home to be replaced by flats for adults with learning difficulties[2] Former Croft care home building in Great Sutton will be bulldozed to make way for the new facility The cocaine was later examined and believed to be valued between GBP17,000 and GBP20,000.

Prior was subsequently charged with possession of an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and two counts of possession of a bladed article. He pleaded guilty to all charges. He returned to Chester Crown Court[3] yesterday (Wednesday, November 29), where he was sentenced to a total of five years and six months in prison.

Following the hearing, Detective Constable Caitlin Slatford of Crewe[4] CID, said: "Thanks to a simple stop check, drugs and weapons have been seized and a dangerous man is 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[5] or report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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References

1. ^ Police called out as man, 50, found dead (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
2. ^ Arson-hit care home to be replaced by flats for adults with learning difficulties (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
3. ^ Chester Crown Court (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
4. ^ Crewe (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
5. ^ https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us (gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com)
6. ^ Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)