M4 driver caught hogging lane found with drugs and weapons

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 06:03 · Archive

Thames Valley Police stopped a Mercedes on the M4 near Reading for middle lane hogging and speeding, finding drugs, knives and cash.

Thames Valley Police stopped a Mercedes C250 on the M4 between Newbury and Reading during a patrol in the early hours of Monday morning. Officers had spotted the vehicle driving in the right-most lane at 90mph, repeatedly returning to that lane even after being signalled to move over, despite there being barely another vehicle in sight. They pulled it over for careless driving.

The situation escalated quickly. The driver tested positive on a roadside drug wipe for cannabis. A subsequent search found herbal cannabis and cannabis resin in the vehicle. Officers also recovered a concealed knife and found that the passenger had a two-foot zombie knife tucked into his waistband. Police found several thousand pounds in cash on both occupants.

The driver claimed to hold a Spanish driving licence but was unable to produce it. The only UK licence identified was provisional. The vehicle's insurance policy also raised the officers' suspicion.

Both occupants were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug. The passenger was remanded to appear at court on Tuesday. The driver was bailed pending further enquiries and the results of blood analysis.

M4 driver caught hogging lane found with drugs and weapons — Image: Gazette & Herald

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How it is being reported

M4 middle lane hogging police stop turns into 'Netflix crime drama'A driver with a car full of drugs, weapons and thousands of pounds in cash caught the police's attention by using the wrong lane of the M4 near Wiltshire.Gazette & Herald · 14 Nov, 05:03
M4 middle lane hogging police stop turns into 'Netflix crime drama'A driver with a car full of drugs, weapons and thousands of pounds in cash caught the police's attention by using the wrong lane of the M4 near Wiltshire.Wiltshire Times · 14 Nov, 05:03
M4 middle lane hogging police stop turns into 'Netflix crime drama'A driver with a car full of drugs, weapons and thousands of pounds in cash caught the police's attention by using the wrong lane of the M4 near Wiltshire.Swindon Advertiser · 14 Nov, 05:03

In this story: Thames Valley Police · M4 · Newbury · Reading

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