Man jailed for more than three years for Class A drug supply following police stop on M6 at Penrith

A man found in possession of cocaine with an estimated street value of £10,000 was jailed yesterday (16 Dec) after admitting Class A drug dealing and other offences.

Ryan Grey, 34, of Baguley Crescent, Middleton, Manchester, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court to three years and four months in prison after he admitted possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, two counts of possession with intent to supply Class C drugs and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

The court heard how officers stopped a Nishan Qashqai on the evening of 21 November 2025. The car, driven by Grey, was stopped on the M6 northbound near junction 40.

Grey was told he was being detained for the purposes of a drugs search and when asked if there was anything in the vehicle officers should be aware of, he replied that there was around 1,000 diazepam tablets – a Class C drug.

A search of the vehicle resulted in 2,000 Valium (diazepam) tablets being found, along with 140 zopiclone tablets – another Class C drug.

Officers also located a plastic bag of white powder, later found to be 125 grammes of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of £4,500 and an estimated street value of £10,000.

The cocaine was found in a jacket pocket, along with a knuckle duster – an offensive weapon.

In his police interview, Grey admitted the jacket was his and accepted he had told officers about the diazepam tablets in the car.

Detective Constable James Bowness said: “This was a significant sentence for someone involved in the supply of drugs, including Class A.

“Our officers are proactive in making these stops – even where the individual concerned is seeking only to pass through the county.

“Cumbria is far from a soft-touch for offences of this nature and we will continue to make stops, arrest individuals and put them before the courts.”

If you suspect drug dealing is occurring in your community, report it today so we can take action.

You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit.

You can also phone on 101.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Always call 999 in an emergency, including when a crime is in progress.