TWO men whose car was stopped on the M6 because they were flouting lockdown travel rules were carrying a secret cargo - six kilos of cannabis with a street value of £60,000.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how the men’s VW Golf was heading north near Shap on March 17 when police made it stop and questioned driver Mohammed Khan, 34. His friend Adnan Ahmed, 32, was the passenger.

Khan claimed he lived in Scotland and was on his way to see a cousin.

He also volunteered that he had a cannabis “spliff.” “It was an attempt to mislead the police,” said Recorder David Temkin QC as he passed sentence. Suspicious, the officers then searched of the car.

They found mobile phones, disposable gloves, amphetamine worth £1,650 and a large laundry bag, inside which was six kilos of cannabis, split into six packages and ready for onward supply.

Khan said he had been acting under duress and panicked. He claimed to be in fear for his life and said he was acting under instruction.

When Ahmed was interviewed, he denied any responsibility for the drugs. The court heard that Khan, of Wagoners Close, Wardend, Birmingham, had two previous convictions for robbery but nothing since 2009.

Ahmed too had previous for robbery and drug offences - including possession with intent to supply of heroin. There was nothing since 2015.

The judge said that the men must have had some understanding of the scale of the operation they were involved in, given the amount of drugs they were transporting.

Khan’s involvement as a courier was to help wipe out a large debt that he owed, the court heard.

But Recorder Temkin said: “I accept there is genuine remorse on both of your parts.” The judge spoke also of the mitigation put forward for the men. Khan was a father-of-four with a decent work record.

He played a valuable role in his community - though the role model he had presented had changed because of his offending. “It’s no wonder you feel ashamed,” continued the judge.

Khan had also supported his wife, who worked 12-hour shifts in a care home. “You clearly have been very supportive to her,” said the judge. “This mistake has had a dreadful impact on her life.”

Ahmed also had family commitments and cared for his sick mother - though that role was taken over by his brother during the ten weeks the defendants spent on remand.

Ahmed, of Baker Street, Sparkhill, Birmingham, also did voluntary work in his community. Both men, who admitted possessing cannabis and amphetamine with intent to supply, were jailed for 15 weeks. Their remand time meant they were immediately released.