Major Drug Bust on M5 Leads to Newport Man's Court Appearance
A significant drug interception on one of England's busiest motorways has resulted in criminal charges against a Welsh man. David Griffiths, aged 54 and hailing from Newport in Gwent, has been formally charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis following a police operation on the M5.
Details of the Motorway Stop and Seizure
Officers from the specialized Road Crime Team conducted a vehicle stop on the M5 motorway on February 4th. The interception occurred between Junction 7, which serves Worcester, and Junction 8, providing access to Ross and South Wales. During the search of the vehicle, police uncovered a substantial quantity of illegal substances.
The seizure amounted to 200 kilograms of cannabis, with authorities estimating its street value at approximately £1.5 million. This represents one of the larger drug confiscations in recent regional law enforcement history.
Legal Proceedings and Police Statement
Following his arrest, David Griffiths made his initial court appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on February 6th. The charges relate specifically to possession with intent to supply the class B drug cannabis.
In an official statement regarding the case, police representatives confirmed: "We've charged a man with possession with intent to supply cannabis after officers from our Road Crime Team seized drugs from a vehicle."
The statement further elaborated on the operational context: "We're currently running Operation Target which sees us take a defiant stand against a range of serious and organised crime offences. Officers use local intelligence, seize goods, carry out warrants and target offenders as part of Op Target's ongoing crackdown against serious and organised crime."
Broader Law Enforcement Context
This arrest forms part of a wider police initiative targeting organized criminal activities across the region. Operation Target represents a coordinated effort by law enforcement agencies to disrupt drug supply networks and other serious offenses through proactive interventions.
The successful interception demonstrates the ongoing vigilance of traffic patrol units on major transportation corridors, where criminal elements often attempt to move illicit goods between regions. The substantial quantity seized suggests potential connections to larger distribution networks rather than personal use quantities.
As the legal process continues, this case highlights the persistent challenges law enforcement faces in combating drug trafficking across county lines and the strategic importance of motorway surveillance in disrupting these criminal operations.
