Pubdate: Thu,  6 Feb 2003
Source: Evening Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Northamptonshire Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.northantsnew.co.uk/news/tele/index.asp
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2272

UKP5M DRUGS HAUL ON M1

HEROIN with an estimated street value of UKP5 million has been seized by
motorway police patrolling the M1 in Northamptonshire.

It was one of the biggest ever drug hauls seen in the county.

The drugs, weighing a total of 44 kilograms, were found stashed in a car
stopped by police on the M1, near Kislingbury, on Tuesday.

Traffic officers discovered the haul when they carried out a routine stop of
a vehicle travelling southbound between junctions 16 and 15A of the M1 at
about 1:30pm.

Two men were in the car at the time and when officers searched the vehicle
they found the class A drugs hidden in a cardboard box.

The drugs, believed to be heroin, have now been sent for forensic tests.

Two men from London, both aged 30, have been arrested and were being held in
custody at Weston Favell police station.

It is not yet known if the drugs were intended for distribution in the
Northampton area or for use in the capital.

No details of the car involved have been released.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: "For operational reasons we
are unable to give any further details as they may form part of the
questioning."

Drug experts have warned that the seizure, if confirmed as heroin, could
impact on heroin users in the town.

Chief executive of addiction charity Can, Linda Juland, said: "Obviously
this looks like a very significant haul and would affect drug users in
Northampton.

"People may notice a difference in the purity of heroin if their dealers
find themselves short of the drug and the price could also rise."
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk