A DRUGS courier was caught on the M6 near Penrith with cannabis worth an estimated £60,000, a court heard.

Police stopped the southbound car that was being driven by 25-year-old Everest Bode near to Junction 40 on February 16 and discovered he was transporting 6 kilograms of “skunk” cannabis, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant – an illegal immigrant from Albania – pleaded guilty to possessing the Class B drug with intent to supply.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson outlined the facts of the case, saying that the defendant was stopped at 12.10pm between Junction 40 and Shap. After his arrest, he gave police a no comment interview.

He eventually admitted he knew he was transporting drugs. But he claimed he had no knowledge of what particular drug was inside the packages he was given to transport south.

“He says he hadn’t been threatened; and that he was expecting to get paid £250,” said  defence barrister Claire Larton. While waiting for the case to come to court, the defendant had served the equivalent of an eight-month jail term, she added.

Recorder Julian Shaw, passing sentence, told Bode: “You were stopped by a police officer while transporting 6 kilograms of cannabis of the skunk variety down the M6 Motorway. That volume of cannabis has an approximate street value of £60,000.

“To your credit, you didn’t concoct or advance a fabricated account of your involvement. You pleaded guilty before this court at the first opportunity, albeit after a no comment interview to the police…

“You counsel Miss Larton asks for you to receive 25 per cent credit for that guilty plea. I agree that is appropriate in the circumstances of your case. You only knew it was drugs but not the precise details.”

The judge said he was not aware of the defendant having any previous convictions, though it was clear that Bode came to the UK illegally. Recorder Shaw imposed eight months jail, meaning the defendant has completed his sentence.

The authorities will now have to decide whether or not he can remain in the country.