A drug offender has been jailed after police caught him with a significant stash of illegal drugs during a traffic stop on the M6 near Penrith.
Ryan Grey, 34, was pulled over near Junction 40 on November 21 while driving north in his Nissan Qashqai. He immediately admitted to officers that he had “around 1,000” Class C diazepam tablets in the vehicle.
However, a search revealed twice that number—2,000 diazepam tablets—alongside 140 zopiclone tablets, also Class C prescription drugs, and 125g of cocaine. The cocaine, found in Grey’s jacket pocket, had an estimated street value of £10,000.
Grey, from Baguley Crescent, Middleton, Manchester, admitted in his police interview that the jacket belonged to him and acknowledged possessing all three types of drugs with intent to supply.
At Carlisle Crown Court, Grey was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
Detective Constable James Bowness praised the sentence, saying it sends a strong message to drug criminals that Cumbria is not “a soft touch.” He emphasized that officers remain proactive in stopping vehicles and targeting individuals attempting to move drugs through the county.
“This was a significant sentence for someone involved in the supply of drugs, including Class A,” DC Bowness said. “Cumbria will continue to make stops, arrest offenders, and put them before the courts.”
Residents are encouraged to report suspected drug dealing online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit
or by calling 101.
