Two men from Barrow were jailed on Friday (14 March) for drug supply offences after a vehicle they were travelling in was stopped by officers on the M6 in November 2024.
Jay Farragher, aged 25, of Stanley Road, Barrow was jailed for 3 years and 4 months at Preston Crown court after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine) and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Stephen Brown, aged 42, of Egerton Court, Barrow, was jailed for 2 years and 3 months at Preston Crown Court after also admitting to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
The sentencing comes after officers stopped Farragher and Brown’s vehicle near junction 36 on the M6 on Friday 1 November 2024.
The vehicle and its occupants were searched, and officers quickly located a bag on a rear passenger seat which contained a bag of white powder, initially suspected to be cocaine.
Farragher and Brown were arrested at the scene where Farragher admitted to officers ‘that’s mine that’, referring to the drugs found inside the bag within the vehicle.
In total the estimated street value of the drugs seized was around £10,000.
Further examination of Farragher and Brown’s mobile phones seized during the search evidenced further drug supply activity.
Detective Constable Alex Brown said: “The initial stop on the motorway by officers was a great use of proactive policing.
“The stop, as well as the subsequent investigation, has resulted in two individuals behind bars, and harmful drugs taken off the streets.
“Our officers work all year round to root out these types of crimes and this is just the latest example of criminals facing prosecution in Cumbria.
“We are committed to disrupt the supply of class A drugs, which cause harm and misery in our communities.”
This work is carried out under the banner of Operation Alliance which is the county’s response to protect the public against serious and organised crime.