Man jailed after weapons and drugs seized following stop check on the M6

A man has been jailed for five and a half years after half-a-kilogram of cocaine and weapons were seized following a stop check on the M6 motorway.

At around 1.20pm on Friday 19 May, officers from Cheshire Constabulary’s Roads and Crime Unit were alerted to a Nissan Navara Pick Up travelling on the M6 which had previously been linked to drug supply.

Officers stopped the car on the M6 southbound carriageway (between junction 19 and junction 18) and spoke to the driver, 42-year-old Robert Prior, before conducting a search of his vehicle.

Prior was arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after the search unveiled half-a-kilogram of cocaine, an axe, a machete, and a metal knuckle duster.

The cocaine seized was later examined and believed to be valued between £17,000 and £20,000.

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 today, Wednesday 29 November, where he was sentenced to a total of five years and 6 months in prison.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Caitlin Slatford of Crewe 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 

...or report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on:

0800 555 111