A MOTORIST stopped on the M5 in Somerset was found to have £40,000 worth of heroin in his car.

Scott Franks, 50, was found with a kilo of the drug in the vehicle when he was pulled over by police on the motorway near Bridgwater.

He was jailed for four years earlier today (Friday, April 29) at Taunton Crown Court.

Franks, of St Austell, in Cornwall, had previously been convicted of possession with intent to supply a class A drug and being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.

His car was stopped on Wednesday, March 23, by officers who found a block of heroin inside, as well as a 1kg bag of a cutting agent.

Bridgwater Mercury:

The bag of heroin found in Franks' car.

The resulting investigation discovered Franks has been acting as a courier for an organised crime group, transporting drugs between the Devon and Cornwall and Merseyside areas, making numerous trips over a six-month period.

Det Sgt Jonathan Atkin said: “This offender was involved in a county lines drugs operation and was instrumental in facilitating the supply of heroin over a significant period of time.

“Criminal operations like this one are corrosive and cause untold harm to communities, often exploiting vulnerable people in the process.

“We worked in partnership with our colleagues at the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, and we’re grateful for their expertise and support.”

Drug crime has devastating consequences for communities and often dealers target the most vulnerable people within them.

Avon and Somerset Police have a dedicated team working with communities, partner agencies and other police services regionally and nationally to bring perpetrators to justice.

Officers welcome information on drug crime. Talk to your neighbourhood team, report online via the force website or by calling 101.