A CANNABIS dealer exposed after police saw him speeding on the M6 has been handed a suspended jail term.
Grant Bradley Johnson, 24, attracted the attention of traffic officers last July when travelling northbound at around 98-110mph at Junction 42 near Carlisle.
His Suzuki Swift was stopped by police, who could smell cannabis, and the vehicle was searched. Bags of cannabis bush were located, along with a grinder, £400 cash and a mobile phone. At his home, weighing scales and a paper list containing names and numbers were later found.
Facebook and text messages hinting at drug acquisition and supply were found when the phone was analysed. All of which led a detective to conclude, said prosecutor Beccy McGregor, that Johnson had been “supplying it to local cannabis users in order to make a profit.”
Johnson, of Orton, near Tebay, admitted two charges: being concerned in making an offer to supply cannabis resin; and possessing the class B drug with intent to supply.
At Carlisle Crown Court today (FRI), a judge heard Johnson was a man of good character, in work and seeking to address a cannabis addiction with professionals.
After considering mitigation, Recorder Carwyn Cox concluded there was a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation” and suspended an eight-month jail term for 18 months. Johnson must complete an eight-week night-time curfew and 100 hours’ unpaid work.
