A drug dealer was caught driving with cocaine worth up to £142,900 under the seat of his car.
Leon Rix’s Vauxhall Astra was stopped by Cheshire roads police on Rocksavage Expressway in Runcorn shortly after noon on Wednesday, June 2.
Officers discovered a kilo block of cocaine hidden under the driver’s seat, with an estimated street value of between £42,870 and £142,900.
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They also found a baton in the glove compartment.
A Cheshire Police spokesman said Rix denied being a dealer and claimed he was moving the drugs for someone else.
He was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of an offensive weapon - namely a friction lock baton, and escape from lawful custody.
Rix, 28, of Browning Drive, Great Sutton, appeared at Chester Crown Court yesterday and admitted the drug and weapon offences.
The escape from lawful custody was ordered to lie on file.
Rix was jailed for three years and six months.
Following the hearing, Inspector Anton Sullivan, of Cheshire Police’s Roads and Crime Unit, said: “This a fantastic result which has resulted in the removal of a significant quantity of illegal drugs from the streets of Cheshire and the person responsible now behind bars.
“The impact that illegal drugs have on our communities cannot be underestimated and I would like to thank all of the officers involved in this case for their dedication and determination to make our county safer.
“We’re committed to doing all we can to make Cheshire a hostile place for criminals and we use all the tools available to us to help achieve our goal.
“I hope this result sends out a strong warning to other offenders, the message is clear, if you come to Cheshire to commit crime, you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.”
