A driver caught transporting cannabis potentially worth almost £900,000 through north Cumbria has been given a lengthy prison sentence.
Zygimantas Viktorians, a 42-year-old self-employed builder from East London, was stopped by police while driving a Renault Kangoo van on the M6 north of Carlisle at around 3pm on Wednesday, December 21.
A police constable approached the vehicle and noticed Viktorians was bleeding from a fresh cut to his hand.
“The officer observed a mobile phone that was smashed and snapped in the front passenger footwell,” prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court today.
“This was plainly an attempt to destroy the phone, the defendant knowing better than anyone else that it likely contained incriminating material to do with his drug supply activities.”
Police searched the van and located 17 black bin liners. Inside these were 17 large clear vacuum bags and each contained cannabis with a total weight of 89kg — potentially worth £890,000 if sold on the street. Several mobile phones were recovered, including that which he had tried to smash, and £320 cash.
“The defendant falsely claimed was travelling from London and going to Scotland to deliver some wheels,” said Mr Evans. A sat-nav showed a destination of Loch Ryan, near Stranraer.
Automatic numberplate recognition evidence showed the Renault van had made two earlier trips to the same location, on November 25 and December 9.
In court, Viktorians admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Jeff Smith, giving mitigation, said the married Lithuanian national had lived in the UK for nine years. The van belonged to someone else and the defendant insisted he had only made one trip — on the day he was caught.
“He argues that he occupied only a lesser role, instructing me that he has no further involvement other than conveying this cannabis on one occasion,” said Mr Smith. “He understands that custody is inevitable. He is aware that the probable consequence of custody is going to be the removal from the country.”
Judge Nicholas Barker imposed a 38-month jail term. Viktorians must serve a two-year driving ban when released due to him being behind the wheel when committing the offence. “This was a very significant delivery of cannabis,” Judge Barker observed.
