Cannabis find in speed check car

A driver pulled over for a ticking-off over speeding was arrested on suspicion of dealing cannabis after officers found four large bags of the drug in his car.

Police were nearing the end of a speed check operation in Mill Street, Brierley Hill, when a black Honda Civic was recorded as travelling at 37mph in the 30mph zone.

Officers ordered the driver to stop to tell him to cut his speed in future but noticed a pungent aroma coming from the glove compartment. They found two bags packed in a large carrier bag after an initial search and, despite the driver's assurances that no more drugs were stashed in the car, found a further two stuffed into a container.

Pc Chey Bhoondpal arrested the 45-year-old, of Westminster Road, Wordsley, on suspicion of possession of class C drugs with intent to supply. The incident happened just before 7pm last Thursday.

Pc Paul Roden said the arrest was an unexpected bonus. "Whenever we pull over a vehicle, there's always a chance there might be some other offence committed."

"But this is a first for me, and I've done a few of these speed checks now."

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Jim Keeley, who was leading the speed check, was forced to abandon early as officers accompanied the suspect to the station. He said: "It's taken all my resources but it's an unexpected result."

Officers had been carrying out a speed check after a request from residents at the latest Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting. Householders had told police community support officers that Mill Street was being used as a rat run by boy racers, particularly in the evenings.

The Honda Civic was the third car police stopped in an hour.