Police 'find £5,000 worth of cannabis' in car stopped on M62

Police used special tactics to bring a car to a standstill after it was picked up by patrols on the M62 at Eccles. Officers from the Greater Manchester Police's road task force followed the car on the busy motorway and used pre-emptive tactics to safely stop the vehicle at junction 11 yesterday evening (October 19).

Officers who searched the car, a Fiat Punto, reported that they discovered over £5,000 worth of cannabis. The driver failed a roadside drugs test and was arrested for possession with intent to supply (Pwits) and drug-driving.

GMP said on Twitter: "This Fiat Punto was picked up by #RPTF patrols on the M62 at Eccles, pre emptive tactics used and the vehicle was safely stopped at j11 M62. Inside the car was located over £5000 worth of cannabis. Driver also failed a drugs test. #Arrested Pwits + drug drive@NWmwaypolice".

The road task force had another success a short while later when a BMW 330 that had been pursued several times in the past few days was spotted. The vehicle was again pursued by police vehicles and was seized after it was abandoned in Grosvenor Street, Bury. Police dogs were called out to help in the search for the occupants of the car, who fled the scene.

GMP said on Twitter: And this BMW 330 has been pursued several times over the last few days. Pursued again this evening by #RPTF patrols the vehicle was abandoned on Grosvenor St Bury. #carseized and the @GMPdogs are out tracking."

Pre-emptive tactics are those used by police to prevent a pursuit from taking place. An officer(s) may find themselves behind suspect vehicles and drivers in the normal flow of traffic. The driver of the suspect vehicle may remain unaware of the police interest or decide to continue driving normally in the hope the