Manchester man admits transporting cocaine on M6

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 12 Nov, 21:50 · Archive

Leon Ferguson admitted supplying cocaine worth more than £300,000 found during an M6 stop in Cumbria.

Leon Ferguson, 48, of Stamford Road, Carrington, Manchester, was stopped by Cumbria Police while travelling northbound on the M6 at Southwaite at 1.30pm on Wednesday, 11 November. When officers approached him, he initially gave them a false name but later admitted his identity and told them drugs were in the vehicle.

Police found a black duffel bag in the front passenger footwell containing approximately four kilograms of cocaine in bricks. The drugs had an estimated street value of more than £300,000. Ferguson was also found to be driving without a licence or insurance. He was arrested at the scene and gave no comment during his police interview.

The investigation was carried out by Westmorland and Furness Community and Serious Organised Crime team. Ferguson appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court on 12 November, where he admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance. He was remanded in custody.

A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness CSOC said: 'This was an arrest which began with eagle-eyed policework on the county's motorway before being investigated by specialist serious and organised crime detectives.' They noted that 'the result was guilty pleas to all charges, within 24 hours of the car being stopped.'

Ferguson is due to be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on 11 December 2026. The arrest forms part of Operation Alliance, Cumbria Constabulary's operation to tackle serious and organised crime in the county.

How it is being reported

• Man admits transporting more than £300,000 of cocaine after M6 stop near CarlisleManchester man Leon Ferguson admits cocaine offences after police stopped him with £300,000 of cocaine on the M6 in Cumbria.Cumberland News · 12 Nov, 15:30
• Driver caught with 4kg of cocaine worth more than £300,000A MANCHESTER man has admitted supplying Class A drugs after police stopped him on the M6 in Cumbria with around 4kg of cocaine in his car.Westmorland Gazette · 12 Nov, 15:30
• Driver caught with 4kg of cocaine worth more than £300,000A MANCHESTER man has admitted supplying Class A drugs after police stopped him on the M6 in Cumbria with around 4kg of cocaine in his car.NW Evening Mail · 12 Nov, 15:30
• Man arrested after 4kg of suspected cocaine found during M6 vehicle stopA Manchester man has appeared in court after four kilograms of suspected cocaine were found during an M6 vehicle stop in Cumbria on November 11.News & Star · 12 Nov, 10:45

In this story: Leon Ferguson · Cumbria Police · M6 · Southwaite · Manchester · Carlisle · Westmorland and Furness CSOC

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log