A MAN caught driving along the M6 with £50,000 worth of cocaine has been jailed.

Gary Boone has been sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs.

It comes after the 60-year-old, of West Street in Bridgewater, Somerset, was stopped by police on the southbound motorway between Lymm and Knutsford who found a bag containing a “large amount” of cocaine.

Detective constable Taylor, from Eastern CID, said: “It’s clear that the drugs discovered during this traffic stop were destined for onward supply, but thanks to our officer’s quick intervention, we have successfully taken a large amount of class A drugs off the street.

“Boone’s sentencing today shows that we take drugs offences very seriously and I hope this sends a stark warning to others. No matter who you are, or where you are from, if you’re planning to transport illegal drugs in Cheshire you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.

“If you have any information about illegal drug activity or any other criminal activity taking place, please report it to us on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and we will take care of the rest.”

At around 9.30am on Tuesday (July 4), Merseyside Police officers reported that they believed a car being driven by Boone, a grey Mazda CX-5, may be transporting drugs.

Police stopped the car and proceeded to find a sack containing a large amount of white powder.

They also recovered a small cellophane wrap containing cannabis and a sandwich bag also containing further white powder.

A mobile phone and a quantity of cash were also seized by officers.

Boone was subsequently arrested and the substances examined by forensic officers, who confirmed it to be 500g of cocaine, with an estimated street value of up to £50,000.

The substance in the sandwich bag was also confirmed to be cocaine, with an estimated street value of up to £1,350.

Boone appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday (September 21) and was sentenced to four years imprisonment.