A drug courier has been jailed for three years after he was stopped on the M6.

Dylan Hayes, 23, of Harris Road, Glasgow, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – heroin.

The court heard how officers stopped a vehicle, which Hayes was a passenger in, on the hard shoulder of the M6 just before Junction 35 on the evening of January 10 2024.

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When the vehicle was stopped, Hayes was seen to exit the front passenger seat and jump over the crash barrier. As he jumped, a blue bag was seen to fall to the floor and Hayes was observed retrieving the bag before being detained by officers.

Hayes was found to be in possession of the bag which contained two blocks of brown powder which later tested positive as heroin, weighing around 1kg with an approximate street value of £50,000.

Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi said: "There is no victim impact statement in cases like this.

"The reason you got into this enterprise was to fund your own drug habit. You do not need me to tell you about the problems drugs cause to our society.

"I accept you became involved either through pressure, coercion or intimidation. I accept this was an isolated incident.

"There is nothing to suggest you were involved in the direct supply of drugs. I accept you are taking steps to address your addiction and you have been clean now for the past 12 weeks.

"You have been using drugs since you were 14-15 years old - dabbling in drugs at the weekend and then using cocaine every day. It spiralled out of control.

"I accept you got involved because you had a significant drug debt. The offence is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified."

Detective Constable Andy MacFarlane said: “Hayes was carrying a significant quantity of drugs when officers stopped the vehicle he was travelling in.

“Today’s result shows the consequences that face those who travel into the county with the intent to supply drugs.

“We will continue to take robust action to target organised criminality in Cumbria and will pursue those involved at every level to ensure offenders are brought to justice."