Driver Tests Positive to Cocaine and Cannabis, Police Says

After being found using drugs while driving on the M4, a man's license to drive has been revoked. Kamran Ahmed, of Chatsworth Road in Fishponds, Bristol, was stopped by officers who thought his Ford Transit was over the maximum permitted weight on the M4 near Swindon on January 16 2025.

Wiltshire Police reported that the 43-year-old was swerving and looked to be driving recklessly after being requested to follow them to the closest safe location.  When stopped, officers could smell cannabis from his vehicle and a drugs wipe test was carried out which was positive for cocaine and cannabis, police said.

Ahmed was barred from driving for 36 months after appearing at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Monday. He was also ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £650 of the Crown Prosecution Service's costs and a £114 surcharge.

DC Alexandra Way said police officers would "often stop vehicles which appear to be over the maximum weight capacity."

She continued, "This may seem like a trivial thing, but it is a serious safety risk, and often there are further offences to be detected."