Two men have been jailed after attempting to transport £20,000 worth of amphetamines to sell in Weymouth.

Anthony Battle, aged 55, of Norfolk Road, Weymouth, was stopped and searched by police at an M6 service station. Officers found 1.9kg of the drug hidden in a petrol can in his car.

Staffordshire Police said Battle was acting as a courier, driving the drugs from Liverpool down to the south coast when he was stopped by officers from Central Motorways Policing Group on April 5, 2017.

A search, following the stop of Battle’s Ford Kuga at Hilton services in south Staffordshire, led to the discovery of the drugs – with a street value of around £20,000 – hidden inside a petrol can.

Forensic work on the amphetamine wraps led officers to another man, James Murphy. When Murphy’s Liverpool address was searched 1kg of cannabis skunk was found along with a cash-counting machine and £100,000 in a carrier bag.

On October 11 at Stafford Crown Court Murphy, aged 31, of Lower Close, Halewood, was sentenced to three years and nine months. Battle was jailed for four months.

The court heard that Battle had driven up from Weymouth to Liverpool on April 5, 2017 – a task which he was paid £300 to do - to then transport the 1.94kg of amphetamine back down to the south coast the same day.

When the drugs were discovered at 9.30pm, forensics work later led officers to Murphy’s address in Lower Close, Halewood.

A warrant was executed on September 12, 2017. Officers found nearly 1kg of professionally wrapped skunk cannabis under the stairs. They also seized a professional cash-counting machine and nearly £100,000 of cash in a carrier bag. Further cash was found secreted around the house making a total seized of £126,675.

Murphy pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply amphetamines and cannabis and money laundering. Battle pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of amphetamines.

Detective Inspector Lesley Fowler, of Staffordshire Police Major Organised Crime Department, said: “We welcome today’s outcome which is the result of a thorough and meticulous investigation into Organised Crime working closely with Merseyside and Dorset Police Forces. We will not tolerate drug supply within Staffordshire and the force remains committed to tackling those involved in such activity and in particular using the motorway network as a conduit to supply drugs nationally.”

Anyone who suspects drug supply in their area is encouraged to report it to police on 101 or by contacting independent crime-fighting charity Crime Stoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online report form at www.crimestoppers.org