M6 driver who had drugs worth £185k gets ban for cannabis offence

Barry Simmons, 40, who was given a 33-month sentence after police caught him with 10kg of amphetamine and 2kg of cannabis resin, was more twice the legal limit for the latter drug when he was stopped near to Tebay. Prosecutor Glenn Anderton said the defendant's driving of his Volvo S90 on August 15 last year did not cause concern. But when the police approached him at 8am after he was stopped at Tebay Services during his northward journey Simmons was asked to undergo a roadside drugs-swipe test.

It produced a positive result for cannabis. An analysis confirmed that the defendant at the time had between two and three times the limit for the active ingredient of cannabis in his system. Mr Anderton confirmed that the police also found the amphetamine and cannabis resin in the Volvo, which ultimately led to the defendant being jailed at Carlisle Crown Court on November 11 last year.

After hearing those details, magistrates imposed a three-year conditional discharge, which means he will not be punished for the drug driving provided he remains out of trouble during that period. Lead magistrate Karen Warwick said it was a pity the drug driving offence was not dealt with at the time of the drugs supply offences, noting that the offence would probably have resulted in no separate penalty given the jail term Simmons received. He was, however, given a three-year driving ban because he had a previous drug driving conviction within the last ten years, the court heard. "It will start from now," said the lead magistrate.

As the case concluded, the defendant, appearing via a video link, said: "I apologise. That's all I can say." During the crown court hearing last year, Simmons, of Winifred Road, Liverpool admitted possessing both the cannabis and amphetamine - both class B drugs - with intent to supply - and also mephedrone.

The drugs found in the Volvo comprised 10 kilos of amphetamine, two kilos of cannabis as well as a quantity of mephedrone. If sold as individual street deals, the court heard, the haul's value could have been almost GBP185,000. A defence lawyer told the court that Simmons was put under pressure to act as a courier because of a debt he owed. "He's been easy meat, used by others more sophisticated than he," said the lawyer.

The seizure was part of Operation Alliance - Cumbria Constabulary's ongoing response to protect the county against serious and organised crime.

When the defendant was jailed, Detective Inspector Jamie Eaton said the case showed the consequences for those who are prepared to involve themselves in the drugs trade in Cumbria.

"We will continue to take robust action to target organised criminality in Cumbria and will pursue those involved at every level to ensure offenders are brought to justice," he added.